12/01/2006
Families in flood-risk area of Setjwetla are being relocated
Joburg city authorities have started relocating families that were living on the banks of the Jukskei River in the Setjwetla informal settlement camp in Alexandra.

Recent heavy rains have caused the river to swell, flooding many shacks on its banks. In addition, heavy flood waters rounding a bend in the river have washed away parts of the embankment, putting many shack dwellers' lives at risk.

As a temporary measure, about 50 families have been housed in the Transit camp. Those that are eligible for a housing subsidy will be housed in K02, where contractors have already moved on site. Others will be relocated to another area of Alex where they will be able to reconstruct their dwellings, or will be offered affordable accommodation to rent.

The Weather Service says that rainfall in Johannesburg is 44mm higher than last year.

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Water erosion under a house.

Christmas baby, blissfully unaware
of the peril she is in.

Mopping up...

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Belongings packed and ready to go.

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Storm water drain pouring into a tributary.

Tributary that was flooded.

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house built over a drainage  channel.

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Dead rat

But the rain and misery does not keep this entrepreneur from his work!

The humour of the people in Setjwetla is evident through these signs. The left one advertises an up-market complex in Sandton.