Phiwokule Mothemela
Destitute families affected by the floods that hit Kariega at the weekend were relocated to the Moravian Church in the town.
The more than 100 people, including toddlers and the elderly, were moved from the Ou Lapland area to the church between Friday and Sunday night as heavy rain battered the province.
Some said they could only grab what was in front of them due to the amount of water that flooded their homes.
One resident, Michael Otto, told Algoa FM News that when the rain started on Friday night they had been sleeping at home.
He said he heard some screaming and people calling them to leave “Ou Lapland” as the river was “overflowing.”
"All I want now is land to get out of that place, please," Otto pleaded.
Another Ou Lapland resident, Natasha Julie, said they were also woken up by cries from the community that a dam situated above the informal settlement was about to burst its banks.
"When I woke up our homes were already under water. My boyfriend had to carry us out to the gate because the yard was full of water.
"On Sunday, we were called again by the community and the police and were brought to the Church," she said.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality says it has assessed the integrity of the dam wall regardless of the challenges in accessing the private property.
"We are in the process of conducting more assessments to ascertain the risks, develop contingency plans and determine cause of action for surrounding communities," the City said.
Meanwhile, an appeal has been made for nappies for the babies who are at the Church with their parents.
"We are going to get some mattresses from disaster management, but we need other supplies like food, blankets and soap, said, Charoldene Stallenberg
Volunteers from the humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers are in Nelson Mandela Bay to assist with the disaster relief efforts.
