‘Fix It Before the Storms Hit’: Gauteng Warns RDP Homeowners Ahead of Summer Rains

Gauteng may not face coastal storm surges or riverine flooding like KZN or Limpopo, but anyone who’s lived through a Highveld thunderstorm knows how quickly a downpour can turn into a disaster, especially when you’re living under a leaking roof.

With the province officially entering its rainy season, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has issued an early warning, urging residents to prepare their homes before the storms arrive in full force.

And this year, the message is pointed: RDP and BNG housing beneficiaries are most at risk.

RDP homes under pressure

Government-subsidised housing developments often built more than a decade ago, continue to generate complaints every rainy season. From crumbling plaster to sagging ceilings and damp internal walls, the department says storm damage is no longer just about “how hard it rains,” but also about “what hasn’t been fixed.”

Officials say they receive hundreds of reports every year from residents battling:

• Roof leaks

• Blocked or broken gutters

• Mould and wall dampness

• Collapsing ceilings

• Electrical damage from water ingress

The causes? Ageing roofing materials, lack of maintenance, storm damage and residents simply not knowing what to look for.

‘Act early, don’t wait for water at your feet’

Human Settlements MEC Tasneem Motara says preparation now could prevent emergencies later.

“As we approach the rainy season, our foremost concern is the safety and well-being of every Gauteng resident. We urge communities to remain alert, carry out simple home inspections, and act early to prevent damage.”

While Gauteng is not considered a high flood-risk province in urban areas, climate unpredictability has made storms more intense and less forgiving.

What residents are being urged to do

The department has circulated a set of practical, low-cost precautions that households can start on immediately:

✅ Home Maintenance Checklist

• Fix loose or missing roof tiles

• Clear gutters, downpipes and stormwater channels

• Reseal roof joints, vents and chimneys

• Seal cracks in walls, around doors and windows

• Apply waterproofing in vulnerable areas

• Trim trees or branches that could damage the roof

• Avoid building extensions near streams or runoff zones

• Move valuable items away from areas prone to leaks

The warning applies to both formal homes and informal structures especially those built close to riverbanks, stormwater channels or wetland areas.

Social reality: prevention is cheaper than repairs

In many townships and informal settlements, people often only take action after the damage has already happened not because of neglect, but due to cost or lack of information.

Residents on social media have already raised concerns about who will assist elderly or low-income homeowners who cannot afford repairs.

Some are calling for municipalities to roll out temporary repair programmes or supply basic waterproofing materials to vulnerable households, similar to disaster-prevention efforts seen in the Western Cape and eThekwini after major storms.

A rainy season that tests old problems

From Alexandra and Mamelodi to Orange Farm and Tembisa, weather disasters often follow the same story: blocked drains, weak roofing, wet brickwork, and households forced to live with leaks until mid-summer.

The department believes education and early intervention could change that pattern. But with climate change fuelling more unpredictable storms, infrastructure that wasn’t built to modern standards may not hold up without proactive maintenance.

For now, the message is simple: Don’t wait for the thunder. Fix the roof while the sky is still clear.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com