This is according to Mokete Duma, who is the head of the Free State Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs department. Speaking to OFM News on measures the Department is taking to manage the disaster, Duma said the Department appeals to all motorists and pedestrians to take caution when driving or crossing flooded roads, subways, bridges, pathways, and water passes. 

He further urged the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality to note this occurrence and going forward intensify its efforts to clean and better maintain its drainage systems.  “Yes, heavy rains will always fall but at least if your drainage system is up to scratch, you don’t have the risk of floods. These are heavy rains, you know, and [the MMM] need to find a way to channel them in such a way that the public is not at risk,” Duma said.

Meanwhile, spokesperson of the municipality, Qondile Khedama is yet to respond to questions OFM News sent him on how often the municipality cleans and maintains these drains to clear any clogging that may be in them. He has also not responded to questions on what measures the municipality will take to fill the potholes which are likely to begin emerging following these heavy rains and measures the metro will take going forward to ensure that it is proactive in dealing with such matters as outlined in the municipality’s Disaster Management Plan, which was formulated in line with the Disaster Management Act. 

In a statement issued earlier on Friday, after OFM News sent questions to him on Thursday asking why no communication had yet been issued to the public on contingency measures the municipality would be taking, Khedama confirmed that a Joint Operations Committee had been established to manage the disaster. 

Traffic officers, police, fire and rescue, medical and social departments would be on standby, while local councillors would also be providing support to families affected by the floods by allowing them access to municipal buildings for shelter, where necessary.

OFM News