Two children swept away in floods

838 06.03.2014 A mentally-ill 25 year old Bheki Khumalo, who was rescued by the police diving unit at Sand river in Hazyview, after he had spent a night under the bridge due to heavy rains, receives medication. Picture: Itumeleng English

838 06.03.2014 A mentally-ill 25 year old Bheki Khumalo, who was rescued by the police diving unit at Sand river in Hazyview, after he had spent a night under the bridge due to heavy rains, receives medication. Picture: Itumeleng English

Published Mar 14, 2014

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Johannesburg -

Two children have been swept away in the township of Mogwase, North West, following heavy rains, the provincial government said on Thursday.

“Two children whose ages have not been confirmed are reportedly missing after they were swept by floods as a result of heavy rains experienced in Mogwase... near Sun City outside Rustenburg,” spokesman Lesiba Kgwele said in a statement.

“The Bojanala Platinum Disaster Management, Moses Kotane Fire & Emergency, a search & rescue team and police are at the scene.”

Earlier on Thursday, Moses Kotane Local Municipality spokeswoman Beauty Makganye said heavy storms had led to over-flooding on the bridges in and outside the township.

Affected areas included a bridge in Mogwase Unit 01, Mabele-a-Podi village, Ledig bridge and the bridge between Mogwase and Lerome village, passing Manyane Gate Lodge.

Makganye said several cars were reportedly trapped in the water as a result of the storm.

Kgwele said relief efforts had been mobilised to assist 500 pupils residing at boarding residences at Orbit College and Holy Family School in Mabele-a-Podi village who were also affected by flooding.

“Premier Thandi Modise, who has expressed concern about the missing children, is scheduled to visit the scenes tomorrow (Friday) morning,” he said.

Madibeng Local Municipality was also affected by floods. Six bridges were washed away, with four washed away in Klipgat and one in Maboloka and Jericho respectively.

“Flooding was also experienced in Letlhabile Block I and G due to lack of storm water drainage. Roads in Segwaelane village which was also flooded were also muddy and slippery,” said Kgwele.

At least 150 households in Segwaelane, Majakaneng, Mothotlung, Oukasie, Maboloka, Bapong, Letlhabile, Mmakau and Primendia in the municipality were last week affected by the floods. - Sapa

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