Mamelodi Water Pipe Disaster

Just before midnight on the 19th of August they woke up to screams and houses flooded with water. The residents of the Pumolong informal settlement in Mamelodi couldn't have imagined in their worst nightmare the events that unfolded that night.

A water pipe, which had been making a hissing sound according to some residents for a while beforehand, had burst just before midnight. The water pipe was situated underneath one of the informal houses and as it burst it had demolished the house and a plume of water was seen fountaining meters into the air.

The ensuing flood had left a baby and toddler dead and as many as a 1000 people without a place to stay. the flood had been up to 50cm high in some places and a large amount of people had lost valuable possessions. Televisions and cooking utensils was seen throughout the streets and here and there a valued children's plaything was seen swept away by the torrent of water.

The residents of the area had been complaining about the living conditions and the lack of assistance by the local municipality and after the flood they had been angry that people had to die before the City would take action.

The City had proposed to relocate the people after the event and emergency assistance was on the scene to assist those in need.

Residents affected by the flood looks on at the pipe that burst.

Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, visits the site where the pipe had burst. (Middle with yellow gum boots.)

Two woman carry a water soaked mattress into the sun in an attempt to dry it out.

A young boy sits inside a daycare centre after his and other children's parents had to leave for work or went to help in the aftermath of the flood.

A woman indicates to a young child on the photo who had passed away in the flood.

Walking with her child on her back a woman inspects the damage done by the flood.

Municipal workers busy digging a hole around the burst water pipe, in the distance one can see the destruction left by the water.

A young boy stands inside his mother's house that is still water logged after the flood.

The destruction left by the flood.

Wearing Wellingtons boots, a young boy walks through the 

The site where a informal house once stood before the water swept it away.

Three boys stand beside the water pool left after the flood.

Two women walk past a shop surrounded by water.

A man tries to scoop water out of his house.

Men stand next to the water pool left behind.

Emergency workers attend the scene to assist those who were injured.

Emergency workers attend the scene to assist those who were injured.

Emergency workers attend the scene to assist those who were injured.

The sun rises over the informal settlement throwing light on the damage left by the flood.

Police divers and emergency personnel move into the area to look for people who might have been injured or killed by the flood.

Police divers  move into the area to look for people who might have been injured or killed by the flood.