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The IFP calls on the government to declare Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces
flood disaster areas, as heavy rains are causing havoc in these provinces.

IFP Spokesperson on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr
Peter Smith, MP said, "Floods caused major disasters in Mpumalanga and
Limpopo, where people lost their lives, while bridges, houses and roads
where destroyed by heavy floods during the weekend. Most of the affected
municipalities will not be able to cover all costs for the damages and so it
is vital for the national government to help these provinces urgently"

Some of the destroyed bridges however were already on the verge of collapse,
as they were not built correctly.

"The Nkomazi Municiaplity residents have been complaining for a long time
about low-lying bridges to the municipality, but the municipality said it
did not have enough money in the budget for the construction of better
bridges. The danger that these bridges pose has been demonstrated by the
floods as their weak construction has shown how the municipality does not
prioritise the safety of the people it is supposed to serve," said Smith

The IFP calls upon the Nkomazi Municipality Mayor, Thulisile Khoza, the MEC
for Co-operative Governance and Tradional Affairs in Mpumalanga, Madala
Masuku, Vhembe District Mayor, Tshitereke Matibe and MEC for Co-operative
Governance and Tradional Affairs in Limpopo, Clifford Motsepe to speed up
the process of providing  flood relief assistance to the affected
communities. Furthermore they should work with the department of transport
in identifying those areas which need better bridges in order to avoid more
deaths during floods.