RESIDENTS were asleep when they heard a strange noise. The dam had just burst and the residents believed a river snake was coming to attack.
Even though City of Tshwane officials said a water catchment of a sand quarry burst and caused flooding, the residents believed an angry mamlambo was coming to destroy their homes.
But when they woke up on Tuesday, 22 March, they realised that a nearby dam in Onverwacht, Cullinan, east of Tshwane burst.
Fortunately, no injuries or deaths were reported.
Resident Fundo Phiri (27) said he was sleeping when he heard a strange sound, as if a huge storm was coming. He said he was shocked to hear a dam had burst.
“I was with my wife and one-year-old daughter. We climbed to the top of our shack for safety. I also helped four other community members climb as that was the only option for us to survive,” he said.
Fundo said he lost his phone, documents, clothes and food. He said they needed help as they were left with nothing.
Another resident, Stella Chingoma (35), said she lost her passport, food and other belongings. “This is so sad. I didn’t expect this, especially as there was no sign of rain as the sky was blue and clear,” she said.
Madala David Mashishi (75) said his plasma TV was damaged by water.
Tshwane Emergency Services spokesman Charles Mabaso said they received a call about flooding at about 7am.
“Emergency services arrived to find the wall of a water catchment of a sand quarry burst, flooding multiple houses. The residents managed to escape unharmed,” he said.
Mabaso said they helped some community members who had climbed on roof tops for safety. “An assessment is underway to determine the extent of the damages,” he said.
