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Municipal workers look on as vehicles navigate a flooded road.
A Search and Rescue mission is underway in Klerksdorp in the North West after an unconfirmed number of pedestrians were swept away by flood water. According to eyewitnesses, the people who were swept away were attempting to cross the Schoonspruit when they got into trouble.
Houses and businesses in the town have been flooded following persistent rain in the area.
Though water has subsided in some parts of Klerksdorp, some pedestrians were swept away by fast-flowing water.
“About three to four people were in the water and then they disappeared. So, I phoned the necessary people – the fire brigade, (and the) SAPS. They all came back this side. We started to go by the Schoonspruit, all down, all over … until now we did not see anybody or found anybody,” says Casper Bester, North West hi-risk unit.
Bester says the ages of the victims is not known at this stage.
Some community members have warned others to be vigilant.
“We are very much shocked about this incident, because we are not used to heavy rains,” says a resident.
“This is the second incident we had in two days. One yesterday, (and) one today. Please do not got to the water, especially if it looks like this. Even if you think it is not deep, please do not go close,” another resident said.
Rescue officials are still on high alert while authorities have cautioned people not to take unnecessary risks.
“This is not the first incident. (The) last night we received similar incident, and we saved three lives of people who were almost swept away by water in the same area, but on the opposite side. So, this area is called Laamehuis. We are told – which is unconfirmed information received from security officers – that there were four unconfirmed people who were inside the water, and they disappeared. Our search and rescue team are here from the municipality, SAPS and private companies to come and assist and to make sure we satisfy ourselves with the information that we have received,” says Fikile Mahlophe, Matlosana Local Municipality Executive Mayor.
