“Extremely Heartbreaking”: Devastating Scenes of Limpopo Rainfall Flood Effects Have SA Worried

• An elderly woman was left homeless after continuous heavy rainfall flooded her shack in Tzaneen, Limpopo, damaging all her personal belongings
• The distressing video was shared on Facebook, showing neighbours rallying to remove the dirty floodwater and create a drainage pathway
• Social media users expressed concerns for the residents, questioning the government and NGOs about assistance, and warning of the risks of informal settlements during floods

A moving video capturing the aftermath of severe floods in Limpopo sparked massive concern for the region’s vulnerable residents.

The clip, shared by the Tzaneen News Facebook page, documented the devastation and the strength of community bonds, garnering massive views and comments from viewers who called for the government’s assistance.

The video shows an elderly woman who, according to Tzaneen News, resides in Vaalwater Extension 5, in Tzaneen, desperately trying to salvage her home. Both the inside and outside of her shack were filled with dirty, heavy floodwater, caused by continuous, heavy downpours. The woman was filmed using a bucket to scoop water out of her home, having been caught off guard when the rising water entered.

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Tzaneen floods leave gogo homeless

The Tzaneen News Facebook account also explained that the flood damaged the gogo's belongings, leaving her temporarily homeless. When the rain stopped provided a perfect opportunity for community unity. Neighbours were seen in the vicinity clearing the water and attempting to create a channel for the dirty water to flow out into the street.

SA calls for government assistance

The post garnered over 340K views, and many comments expressing deep worry for gogo and other Vaalwater residents. Many viewers focused their prayers on the elderly woman's safety, issuing a clear call for the government to step in and offer her a permanent home. Others questioned the whereabouts of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations), urging them to deploy resources to help the waterlogged community. A serious thread of commentary warned of the risk faced by residents in informal settlements that are not designed to manage water flow during heavy floods.

User @Hettie Van Merch said:

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"Hope she is safe."

User @Morris Sherman asked:

"Where is Gift of the Givers now?"

User @Ray Kinsella commented:

"Extremely heartbreaking, people should not be living in shacks; the government needs to place them into proper houses. These gogo's have served our country for many years, the Rich get Richer and the poor struggle."

User @Solomans Sithole added:

"Every citizen should be taught about landscaping."

User @N'wana-Mthavini Na Sirha Xipikiri said

"If this is Modimolle, I'm not surprised. That's not a place for p to reside. Very sandy and too flat a surface for rainy days."

User @Musa Mustafa shared:

"Soon, the country will be hosting the G20 summit."

User @Eddy Mathebula shared:

"The government must plan where people should be located. We have people who are well-trained for that."

Watch the Facebook reel below:

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Source: Briefly News