Masiphumelele residents ask for building materials after heavy rain displaces thousands

CAPE TOWN - Residents of the waterlogged Masiphumelele community in Fish Hoek are calling for assistance with building materials after the area was battered by disruptive rainfall this past week.
 
More than 1,200 structures were destroyed and 2,000 people were left displaced in the aftermath.
 
Several other areas across the Western Cape were also hit by heavy rains this week.
 
Humanitarian organisations like the Gift of the Givers have been on the ground helping with blankets, essentials, and hot meals. However, Masiphumelele community leader, Mkhululi Mfiki said that more still needed to be done.
 
Mfiki said that many people who had lost everything were struggling to rebuild their homes.
 
"The situation of the water is very bad. Every year we are in this situation when it comes to winter. So  we are trying to get some alternative way of living because the situation here is very bad."