RESIDENTS of Oukasie in Madibeng, North West, are counting the cost.
This after heavy rains battered this kasi, turning streets into rivers, leaving homes damaged and small businesses struggling to survive.
Heavy rains persisted from Friday, 17 April, until Sunday, 19 April 2026, bringing daily life to a standstill.
Community leader Keaobaka Maluleka, chairman of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in Ward 22 and the Oukasie Cluster Unemployment and Business Forum, said the situation on the ground is dire.
"After all the rains, we conducted a walkabout in Masenkeng Section and other areas. The biggest problem is blocked storm water drains filled with grass, sand and illegal dumping. When the rain came, water had nowhere to go," he said.
He told Daily Sun the flooding brought daily life to a halt.
Taxis were unable to operate, forcing many workers to miss shifts and lose income.
"Homes and yards were flooded. Furniture, schoolbooks and stock for spaza shops were damaged. Small businesses couldn't open for trade. For many, no work means no food," said Maluleka.
He added that kids and elderly residents were put at risk as they tried to navigate through water.
The Youth League leader insisted the problem is not new.
"Every rainy season, the same areas get flooded. The drains are not maintained and that's the root cause," he said.
Abahlali have since urged the Brits-based Madibeng Municipality to urgently deploy storm water teams to unblock drains before more rain falls and to implement a long-term maintenance plan.
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A local spaza shop owner, Mama Dikeledi, said she lost stock worth R800.
"My shop was closed for two days. Customers couldn't come in. I'm tired of losing business every time it rains," she said.
A 67-year-old pensioner, Tate Johannes, said he feared for his life when water flooded his yard.
"My son had to carry me. My fridge was damaged. But I will join the clean-up campaign and support the young people," he said.
Heavy rains are expected in North-West on Tuesday, 21 April 2026.
