More FLOODING pictures!
20 March 2014
Page 6
Bela Bela local risks his life to save flood victims
Buddha Dlamini next to the truck he used to transport stranded township residents. Photo: TK Mashaba
TK Mashaba It reminds one of the story of Wolraad Woltemade, but at least this one has a happy ending. Buddha Dlamini, an employee of the Bela Bela municipality, put his life on the line to save Bela Bela residents being threatened by the recent flooding. Dlamini, who works in the Fire and Emergency Department, took a few moments to explain what happened to
The BEAT. “It all happened just as I was coming back from Modimolle,” he said. By the time he reached Klein-Kariba he could see water overflowing the road, and by the time he actually came into Bela Bela, he was told that emergency services were needed in parts of the town. He immediately jumped into the emergency truck to see where he could help. At the first scene, he rescued a Ronwil family of four who had become trapped in
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These construction workers, who were working on the new mall next to the Waterfront, waited for rescue on the roof of their storerooms. Photo: TK Mashaba their house. At the second scene, next to Swift Diesel, he rescued a couple from the incoming flood. “I managed to cross over with the husband,” Dlamini told The BEAT, “but when I went back for the woman, I kept falling over to such an extent that I was drinking floodwater. I had to tie the lady to myself in order to cross. Sadly, their dog slipped and although I went back for it, I couldn’t find it.”
After that, Dlamini had to go and rest in his truck as the reaction to what he had done set in. “I was shivering with fear,” he said. “I could have died, it was a very risky thing I did.” Later in the day Dlamini used his truck to get stranded residents home. “This one time I saw Bela Bela united, helping each other to cross over safely, and I want to thank everyone who did a splendid job,” he said.
PG 2 PG 3 No floods here, says Zuma view