By Libuseng Nyaka
QWA QWA –Local leaders and victims of a tornado which destroyed property and left tens of people homeless in Kerstell early this year have refuted a recent official report that R600 000 had been spent helping them rebuild their houses.
Maluti A Phofung executive mayor Mofumahadi Mathokoana Mopeli signed the controversial report implying victims had received assistance to rebuild damaged homes but some of the 82 victims of the freak storm say the contents of the report are false and misleading.
“I am still living under the house half of which is roofed with a tent. We hardly sleep, the rain has been pouring into the house thereby damaging the furniture which had been salvaged from debris after the tornado attack,” one of the victims, Dieketseng Agnes Maseko told Public Eye in an interview on Thursday, September 6.
“I am very disappointed to learn that the report said we have been compensated. My fear is if it rains heavily this may affect my two children. They will likely get sick.” Her views were echoed by the chairperson of Disaster Management Committee established to deal with victims, Thabo Tsotestsi.
“The report is nothing but a pack of lies. It portrayed a different situation to what is obtaining on the ground. People have not been helped and the situation is still the same,” Tsotestsi who is a principal teacher at Nkarabeng secondary school in Kerstell, said.
He said as chairperson of the disaster committee working closely with the victims, he would have known if any funds or help had been rendered to the community as he was heavily involved in rescue efforts and community revival.
“We are worried about how this will impact on the lives of those affected as it is the rainy season. This report is an insult to the victims. I was also shocked to see the report because I am tasked to work with the victims to ensure they get help,” he added.“I wondered who this assistance benefited because here in Kerstell conditions are still the same.”
The president of Dikwankwetla South Africa Party Moeketsi Lebesa said he was approached by some victims pleading for his intervention after the report was released.
“The contents of this report are untrue and we are shocked because victims are still living under horrible conditions whereby their houses are covered with plastics and tents. When I visited the area, it was still in the same condition. How can someone lie about people’s lives?” Lebesa said.
He said the authorities should budget for such eventualities as Thabo Mofutsanyana is prone to disaster because of its geographical location. “They must be alert to possible disasters and issue warnings about possible severe weather. Warnings are critical to protect life and property,” Lebesa added.
The report was reportedly intended to “inform council about the developments made on Kerstell and Harrismith Tornado attack of June 23 which left damaged house of some residents. A total amount of 361,000 has been spent to compensate the victims.” Part of the report showed that one Walter Maseko was given R14 580 to repair his damaged house but he reportedly denied getting the money, whipping up speculation that the money could have been misappropriated.
The report was also sent to the MEC of Human Settlement Olly Mlamleli who discovered contradicting facts when she visited the area.
Human Settlement Senior Communication officer Senne Bogatsu confirmed that the Department had received the report and that it was signed by Mopeli.
But when asked to comment on the allegation MAP communication Officer Kedibone Sentle said Mopeli would not comment on the matter.
“Please do not quote my mayor on this matter. She has made it clear that she does not want to commend” said Sentle.