Floods hit Hoedspruit water supply

Heavy rains in Limpopo in the past week have damaged infrastructure and affected the water supply in and around Hoedspruit, a local official said.

"There is a serious shortage of water in the Hoedspruit area as all the water is contaminated and undrinkable," Maruleng Municipality spokesman John Seokoma said.

"Water is very urgently needed. Over 220 households were directly affected and that is excluding the farm workers and damage to farms."

Seokoma said the municipality and SA Red Cross Society volunteers were training communities in the area in water purification.

"We have an indication that people use 20,000 litres of water daily.... Any donation of bottled water will be needed and appreciated."

The municipality and its partners had started a disaster relief account and people could go to its website to find out how to donate, Seokoma said.

Initial estimates showed that R6 million worth of crops -- such as avocados, citrus, mangoes, and maize -- had been destroyed.

Infrastructural damage of R21 million -- to fences, irrigation equipment, dams, and store rooms -- was recorded in the preliminary report.

"Following the first phase assistance with the hygiene packs and food parcels, there is serious necessity for clean water in these affected areas," Limpopo provincial official George Mamabolo said in a statement.

Mamabolo urged corporate citizens and communities to assist people by donating bottled water to the affected communities.