Ekurhuleni's disaster managers keep watchful eye ahead of festive season

The City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management is conducting a safety awareness campaign for the festive season.

Officials are at the Katlehong Crossing shopping centre informing residents about important life-safety practices.

The department said communities around the shopping centre are prone to floods, which often lead to drownings.

Emergency services spokesperson William Ntladi said a river, Zonkezizwe, often used for cultural and religious rituals, has been the site of several fatal drownings.

He added that the campaign aims to educate community members on how to respond in life-threatening situations.

“The campaign is to alert residents to summer life-threatening emergencies such as thunderstorms, heat waves, and sinkholes, to mention a few, including drowning and floods. A well-informed community would be able to know how to prepare and react for such life-threatening emergencies.”

Ntladi adds that residents are also being reminded of which emergency numbers to contact when help is needed.