MPUMALANGA – The Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Flood Disaster Relief and Recovery is scheduled to visit the Mpumalanga province this week to scrutinize the government’s relief and recovery interventions following the 2022 flood catastrophe. The committee aims to comprehend the scope of assistance provided in the region and to ascertain the damages incurred by the recent floods in 2023.

According to Parliament of South Africa, the committee will be led by Mr Jomo Nyambi, the House Chairperson for Committees and Oversight in the National Council of Provinces, and co-chair of the Ad Hoc committee. The delegation is set to perform oversight visits at Lekwa Local Municipality in Gert Sibande District and Mombela Local Municipality in Ehlanzeni District. These visits are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of flood disaster relief and recovery measures implemented since last year and to understand the extent of damages caused by the 2023 floods.

During the visit, the committee plans to engage with key individuals, including the mayors of the affected municipalities, the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the province, and other pertinent stakeholders. The objective is to gather comprehensive insights and assess the on-ground situation to ensure that the recovery efforts are on track and meeting the needs of the communities impacted by the floods.

The committee’s schedule for Thursday includes receiving briefings in the morning from the mayors and management of Gert Sibande District Municipality and Lekwa Local Municipality. Following these briefings, the delegation will conduct site visits to various affected areas within Lekwa Local Municipality, including Meyerville’s Johan Street Sewer Pump Station, Sakhile’s Receiving Sub Station along Hlongwane Drive, and Long Street in Rooikoppen (ward 11).

On Friday, the committee will continue its oversight activities in Mombela Local Municipality. The day will commence with the committee receiving a progress report on interventions from Mr Mandla Msibi, the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Subsequently, the committee will embark on site visits to multiple locations within Mombela Local Municipality, covering areas with damaged roads, flooding issues, and infrastructure concerns.

The extensive list of sites for Friday’s visits includes Mataffin roads, Old Pretoria Road, the area opposite Toyota garage in Riverside, Kanyamazane Raw Water Pumpstation, and several roads in critical condition such as Shishile, Umkhokha, Nelson Mandela, Vulamasango, Ligiboli, and Cemetery. Additionally, the delegation will assess the damages at Youth Centre Culvert.

The Ad Hoc Joint Committee’s visit to Mpumalanga is a vital step in ensuring that the flood disaster relief and recovery interventions are effective, comprehensive, and meeting the immediate and long-term needs of the affected communities.