EC flood survivors may need to wait up to 3 months to be housed
MTHATHA - Flood survivors in the Eastern Cape may have to wait up to three months to be housed as government begins the long process of finding land and building temporary homes.
The death toll from the devastating floods remains at 101, with two children, aged eight and twelve, among an estimated 20 people still missing.
More than 1,000 have been destroyed and while emergency shelters remain in place, officials said permanent solutions would take time.
ALSO READ:
- EC govt recognises deficit of more than R800m to restore flood-damaged roads
- Deadly Eastern Cape floods declared a national disaster
- Search and rescue teams in Mthatha anticipate difficult conditions as cold front moves in
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Zolile Williams said the housing process involved identifying suitable land, completing structural assessments, and building temporary units.
"It's difficult to estimate time, but at least two to three months, I think those people will be moved properly."
The Eastern Cape government said it was working with municipalities and national departments to coordinate land use and expedite emergency housing, while maintaining safety standards.
In the meantime, hundreds of families remain in temporary shelters across districts, including OR Tambo, Ngqeleni, and Port St Johns.
With recovery efforts now shifting from search to reconstruction, officials have promised that flood victims won't be abandoned.
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IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
Eastern Cape floods prompt national disaster declaration as death toll surpasses 100
The Gift of the Givers have been involved in the search and rescue operations in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape after devastating floods earlier this month claimed more than 100 lives. Image: Supplied The Eastern Cape province is reeling from the aftermath of devastating floods that have claimed the lives of more than 100 individuals and resulted in damage estimated at billions of rand. The national disaster declaration was announced by Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Zolile Williams on Thursday, following floods earlier this month. Williams said following a comprehensive assessment, the South African government has officially declared a national disaster in response to this widespread destruction caused by the severe weather. While the death toll is expected to increase, Williams said as of June 26, 101 people were confirmed to have died as a result of the floods. The youngest victim, an infant of approximately 12 months, was recovered in Mthatha, while the search for two missing children continues. 'Ninety-four have been identified and handed over to their families. Processes are still ongoing to identify the remaining seven bodies.' Of the deceased, 38 are children, and 32 have been identified as pupils, he said. Williams said due to the time that has passed since the start of the disaster, DNA tests may be required to positively identify bodies found decomposed, thus implying that it may take longer to identify the deceased. The MEC said the province is still busy with the first phase of disaster relief, with the immediate response and humanitarian relief. According to Williams, response systems and mechanisms have been activated, and the department has partnered with humanitarian organisations like Gift of the Givers and Al-Imdaad Foundation, as well as private sector entities such as Old Mutual, MTN, Vodacom, local businesses, and supermarkets. He said that through these collaborations, relief support continues to reach communities whose homes and belongings were destroyed by the floods. The Department of Education has started replacing pupil and teacher support materials lost or destroyed in the disaster and providing uniforms to those affected, Williams said. The MEC said that despite the devastation, progress has been made in restoring services. 'The electricity supply has been restored to over 80% of affected customers, with over 95% of the water supply having been restored in OR Tambo and Amathole district municipalities, which were the most affected districts,' said Williams. He noted that the floods also caused significant damage to both economic and social infrastructure, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and livestock. 'The estimated cost of repairing the damaged infrastructure is R5.1 billion, with approximately R3.2 billion allocated to various sector departments and R1.8 billion for municipal infrastructure, according to the MISA assessment.' Regarding road infrastructure, he indicated that the estimated repair costs amount to R935 million, with R102 million allocated from the Department of Transport's budget. The MEC said a total of 6,869 households have been affected, of which 4,724 people have been left homeless across the province, except for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Municipality. 'While 2,145 homes were partially damaged, about R461 million is required for temporary residential units,' Williams said, adding that the province has allocated an amount of R120 million in this regard. He said the Department of Human Settlements, in partnership with the OR Tambo District Municipality, has successfully activated mass care shelters, including bed and breakfast facilities and community halls, to provide immediate housing for displaced families in OR Tambo and Inxuba. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecaster Andre Fourie confirmed that rain showers will begin to taper off by Sunday before bringing additional rainfall mid-week. As of Friday and Saturday, Fourie said Cape Town is anticipating a 60% chance of showers, along with a yellow level one warning indicating a minor impact with a medium likelihood of occurrence. He said over the weekend, the rain is expected to diminish significantly, with only a 30% chance of showers along the southern coast of the Western Cape, extending as far as Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. Fourie predicted a dry day across the nation on Monday, providing a much-needed respite. Looking ahead, he stated that a new cold front is anticipated to approach the Western Cape by Tuesday. Rainfall is expected to return to both the Western and Eastern Cape on Wednesday, with a low-pressure system predicted to influence South Africa's weather on Thursday. This could lead to showers across the western parts of the Free State and North West provinces as well.
Eyewitness News
19 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
EC flood survivors may need to wait up to 3 months to be housed
MTHATHA - Flood survivors in the Eastern Cape may have to wait up to three months to be housed as government begins the long process of finding land and building temporary homes. The death toll from the devastating floods remains at 101, with two children, aged eight and twelve, among an estimated 20 people still missing. More than 1,000 have been destroyed and while emergency shelters remain in place, officials said permanent solutions would take time. ALSO READ: - EC govt recognises deficit of more than R800m to restore flood-damaged roads - Deadly Eastern Cape floods declared a national disaster - Search and rescue teams in Mthatha anticipate difficult conditions as cold front moves in Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Zolile Williams said the housing process involved identifying suitable land, completing structural assessments, and building temporary units. "It's difficult to estimate time, but at least two to three months, I think those people will be moved properly." The Eastern Cape government said it was working with municipalities and national departments to coordinate land use and expedite emergency housing, while maintaining safety standards. In the meantime, hundreds of families remain in temporary shelters across districts, including OR Tambo, Ngqeleni, and Port St Johns. With recovery efforts now shifting from search to reconstruction, officials have promised that flood victims won't be abandoned.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Eastern Cape floods: Here's how much victims will be given to rebuild their homes
In addition to homes, the flood also damaged schools and other public infrastructure. Flooded roads after heavy rains fell in Gqeberha on 10 June 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Lulama Zenzile The national Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) says funds for building materials will be provided to residents whose homes were damaged during the recent devastating floods in the Eastern Cape. The floods, which struck various areas in the province earlier this month, claimed the lives of at least 100 people and displaced many families. A national state of disaster was declared in response to the widespread destruction. Cogta on Eastern Cape floods Briefing parliament's portfolio committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Tuesday, Cogta Director-General Mbulelo Tshangana outlined the impact of the disaster. The damage, he said, extended beyond homes to include schools, infrastructure, healthcare facilities, and livestock. Many pupils missed exams, and access to medical care was disrupted. According to Tshangana, the total cost of repairing infrastructure damage in the province is estimated at nearly R5.2 billion (R5 184 065,438). ALSO READ: Eastern Cape floods will not be used as a get-rich-quick scheme, says acting premier This includes R3.2 billion (R3 267 288 077) in damage across several departments and R1.8 billion (R1 895 798 411) in municipal infrastructure losses. He stated that 6 869 households were affected, with 4 724 rendered homeless. A further 2 145 homes suffered partial damage. 'A lot of people were displaced as a result of the floods, and we need to house them in community halls and other structures,' Tshangana said. Watch the meeting below: Housing units Tshangana revealed that R461 million (R461 459 216) is required for temporary residential units, though the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements currently only has R120 million available. The affected families will receive no more than R12 000 each in building materials once damage assessments are completed by the end of the month. A total of R25.7 million has been allocated for this intervention 'Permanent solution will be provided on availability of funding and serviced land, based on qualifying beneficiaries,' the director-general told the committee on Tuesday. The long-term housing budget stands at R1.28 billion. READ MORE: Police deployed to protect Gift of the Givers workers from water mafia in Eastern Cape Temporary housing land has been identified in the Mnquma Local Municipality, where 1 100 units can be accommodated. The King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality is also seeking additional land beyond the 100 parcels already found. 'We want to make sure that we conclude this process as a matter of urgency so we can allocate those TRUs [Temporary Relocation Units] to those affected communities because it's really not nice if it is cold and they are still in community halls,' Tshangana said. Eskom and local municipalities will provide electricity and water to these temporary residential units. Road infrastructure Tshangana further informed MPs that road infrastructure, including bridges, was severely damaged in several districts, including Alfred Nzo, Amathole, Chris Hani and O.R. Tambo. The Eastern Cape Department of Transport is currently working on debris removal, repairing landslides, and restoring bridges. The cost of road infrastructure damage is estimated at R935 million, with R832 million needed to cover a R102 million shortfall. READ MORE: Eastern Cape residents say they've been ignored by government after floods The department reprioritised R47.1 million and will activate R55 million in disaster recovery funds for outsourced repairs. Despite some progress, at least 51 roads remain inaccessible due to washed-away bridges, collapsed stormwater pipes, gravel erosion, fallen trees, and debris. Tshangana said repairs are ongoing and that alternative routes are being used where possible. 'Road closures are being implemented… while in-house teams implement repairs.' He also mentioned that in Sakhisizwe, a team working on road repairs was violently attacked, and a tipper truck was vandalised. Eastern Cape floods impact on schools and health facilities The floods affected 431 schools and 69 health facilities. Tshangana said an order for R9 million has been issued for emergency health facility repairs, with R600 000 worth of work already completed. The Eastern Cape Department of Health has spent R87.1 million from its 2% disaster allocation and health facility revitalisation grant. 'R610 210 worth of damages from broken windows, flooding inside the building and R89 million worth of orders issued to contractors,' the director-general said. Medical equipment damage, including an MRI machine at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, amounted to R8.2 million, reprioritised from the National Treasury's services grant. READ MORE: Another tragic twist in Eastern Cape flood tragedy New generators are also required. Personnel-related costs included R300 000 for overtime and R150 000 for travel and logistics. In total, R95.7 million has been budgeted to address healthcare-related disaster needs. In the education sector, 1 471 classrooms were damaged, affecting 48 341 pupils. 'In the OR Tambo district, 492 learners lost their uniform and stationery,' Tshangana said, adding that the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development is assisting the affected pupils. Repairs to damaged schools are expected to cost R404 million. 'This is more or less the estimate. There might be changes in terms of the figures as we move forward,' Tshangana said.
