North West villagers evacuated due to flooding

Hundreds of residents of remote villages near Vryburg in North West had to spend the night in the Taung sport stadium and in tents after being evacuated from their flooded homes. Defence Force and police helicopters are helping with the evacuation and the distribution of food parcels. North West spokesperson Dineo Thatelo says one newborn infant died after the mother gave birth at home and couldn’t reach help. Flooding rivers have cut off villages for nearly two weeks. The Gift of the Givers organisation announced today that they are making another million rands in aid available to people hit by the disaster.