Latest news with #AliSablay
Eyewitness News
07-07-2025
- Eyewitness News
Search continues for EC teen washed away during torrential rains
JOHANNESBURG - Recovery teams in the Eastern Cape are still searching for the remains of a teenage boy who was washed away during torrential rains in the province in June. The devastating floods have already claimed the lives of at least 103 people and displaced thousands in the hardest-hit areas. At least 40 children are among the fatalities. Search and rescue teams have narrowed down the area where they believe the body of the teen boy could be. They believe he could be stuck under rubble. Gift of the Givers spokesperson Ali Sablay said the recovery of the remains could bring the search operation to a close. "The police officers and search and rescue teams are working around the clock to bring closure to this one family. If the child is found, it will be 100% found and recovered in the operations done by the various teams." He said efforts to resettle residents are underway. "Humanitarian operations are still running at full capacity. Gift of the Givers are still on the ground since the 10th of June – we are still delivering daily hot meals in the areas of Butterworth and Mthatha as we know both towns had devastating effects when this disaster happened on the 10th of June." The cost of damage to infrastructure is estimated to run in excess of R5 billion. ALSO READ: EC govt mobilised multi-disciplinary teams to coordinate relief efforts in flood-ravaged districts
News24
26-06-2025
- Climate
- News24
About 5 000 people in need of help as Western Cape roads, homes flooded - Gift of the Givers
Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers Foundation has been called out to multiple flooded areas in the Western Cape. Around 5 000 people are in need of assistance, the organisation estimates. This after a cut-off low weather system brought heavy rain, wind, and cold temperatures to the Western Cape, leaving roads and homes flooded. 'It was a rough night,' Gift of the Givers Foundation operations manager Ali Sablay said on Thursday morning. This after a cut-off low weather system brought heavy rain, wind, and cold temperatures to the Western Cape, leaving roads and homes flooded. He estimated that around 5 000 people were in need of assistance after the humanitarian organisation responded to a flood of calls for help from all over Cape Town. 'We see the number increasing as the rain is not stopping. The calls have been pouring in. Many have been requesting assistance with hot meals, as all their food has been contaminated. We expect to distribute close to 5 000 meals today, along with blankets, clothing, and water,' he said. 'It's going to be a huge operational task.' The first urgent appeals were from Lwandle and Nomzamo, where close to 1 000 residents have been severely affected. Other calls for help came from Khayelitsha, Du Noon, Mfuleni, Gugulethu, Philippi, Philippi East, Mitchells Plain, Chris Nissen Park, Macassar, and Nyanga. 'In the West Coast, the Saldanha Bay Municipality and West Coast Disaster Management have called on our teams after heavy downpours left the entire Middelpos informal settlement submerged, with hundreds of structures underwater,' he said. Among the parts of Cape Town that were flooded were Vygieskraal, Bonnytoun, Gxagxa IFS, Lotus River, Klipfontein Road, Barcelona, Phola Park, Imizamo Yethu, Hangberg, Overcome Heights, Lwandle, Macassar, and Khayelitsha. In addition, according to the City of Cape Town, there were reports of fallen trees and debris in several areas, including Blue Downs, Constantia, Blackheath, Sunningdale, and Bellville. Cape Town Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Sonica Lategan said: 'The Disaster Risk Management Teams will continue assessments in the areas where flooding was reported, to determine the extent and the nature of humanitarian relief required.' 'The rain is expected to abate by afternoon, with more light showers expected from tomorrow,' she added. Donations of non-perishable foods can be dropped off at the seven fire stations that have been designated as drop-off points. They are in Constantia, Goodwood, Hout Bay, Lakeside, Roeland Street, Strand and Wynberg.
News24
17-06-2025
- News24
‘Mafia' tells Gift of the Givers to stop providing free water to Mthatha flood victims
Gift of the Givers staff was threatened by the 'water mafia' while distributing free water to flood victims in Mthatha. Recent flooding claimed at least 90 lives in the region, displacing hundreds of residents. Gift of the Givers relief teams now require police escorts to safely deliver essential aid to affected communities. Gift of the Givers staff was intimidated on Saturday while providing essential aid to flood victims in Mthatha, the Eastern Cape. According to the OR Tambo District Municipality, the organisation's relief team was threatened by people who demanded that it stop supporting hundreds of displaced residents affected by recent flooding that left at least 90 people dead. In a statement on Tuesday, the municipality said the humanitarian organisation's staff received threats from 'unknown people'. 'This happened on Saturday when Gift of the Givers was distributing water to flood victims when the criminals directed them to stop what they were doing.' It condemned the incident. 'We wish to state without fear that extortion is a crime and a moral betrayal of the highest order, especially when directed at those extending a hand to the helpless. To prey on a crisis is to turn pain into profit. It is merciless, and it will not be tolerated,' the municipality said. Speaking to News24, Gift of the Givers' Ali Sablay confirmed the incident and said it was perpetrated by the 'water mafia'. 'While our teams were busy distributing water, they received a threat from one of the service providers to the [OR Tambo District] municipality. They [the service providers] were concerned that Gift of the Givers was giving water to the communities free of charge. 'We are very grateful to the OR Tambo District Municipality, South African Police Service, King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality's law enforcement and the community who said they would not allow this. They told our teams not to leave as they would deal with people behind the threats. Sablay added: It is very sad that during the disaster, greed takes over from people who are supposed to render services to the people. He said his teams were now being escorted by police when delivering essential aid to affected communities. They did not open a police case. The municipality said the incident did not accurately reflect the people of Mthatha and was grateful for Gift of the Givers' assistance. 'This is not who we are. We are people who rebuild, share, and rise for one another. Let us not let the shadows of crime cloud the light of compassion.'
IOL News
13-06-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
Flood death toll rises as rescue efforts continue
Gift of the Givers diving and humanitarian teams are on the ground in the Eastern Cape, assisting local authorities with rescue operations. Image: Supplied WITH rescue and recovery efforts still underway, the death toll is expected to rise following the devastating floods that swept through large parts of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. By late Thursday, the death toll stood at 57. Torrential rains and freezing temperatures hit the region on Monday, triggering widespread flooding and landslides that submerged homes, damaged infrastructure and claimed multiple lives. Gift of the Givers teams, in collaboration with the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit and the Eastern Cape Provincial Disaster Management teams, had by Thursday evening recovered eight bodies. Ali Sablay, a spokesperson for the Gift of the Givers Foundation, said the deceased included five adults and three children. 'In response to the ongoing crisis, Gift of the Givers is intensifying and expanding its operations throughout the district to support affected communities and assist in further recovery efforts." "As the water subsides, more bodies are being discovered," said Caroline Gallant, Eastern Cape manager at the South African Red Cross Society, which has sent assistance to the disaster zone. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ More than 3000 houses had been affected, she said, adding it was "the worst ever disaster" recorded in the area. The Eastern Cape provincial government confirmed at least 127 schools across 10 districts and about 20 health facilities had suffered damage, with assessment and mapping of affected schools still ongoing. They said restoration efforts for power, water supply, and road infrastructure were also currently underway with the support of engineering teams. Response and recovery operations were still underway across multiple affected districts across the province. 'As of June 12, 57 fatalities have been reported across the province with the O.R. Tambo District Municipality accounts for 51 while six of the fatalities are in the Amathole District Municipality. Bodies are being held at the Mthatha Forensic Mortuary, with identification efforts currently underway. 'Areas in the OR Tambo District Municipality such as Slovo Park and Decoligny Village in Mthatha have been hard hit by these severe weather conditions. In Mthatha, 38 people were successfully rescued through the combined efforts of EMS, SAPS, and volunteer organisations. Two helicopters, search and rescue vehicles, K9 units, and technical rescue teams have been deployed. In Joe Gqabi District, heavy snow has led to road closures. In Alfred Nzo District and surrounding areas, critical infrastructure such as roads, clinics, schools, and hospitals have been severely impacted,' the provincial government said. At least 1000 people had been displaced in the Amathole District alone and were being sheltered in community facilities. 'Relief measures including food, blankets, and water have been distributed. The Provincial Government, working with municipalities and social partners, continues to provide essential services to affected residents. Primary Health Care (PHC) services are being provided to displaced people, and emergency medical referrals are being coordinated where necessary,' the province said. A reception area was also set up at Sir Henry Elliot Hall, Mthatha to offer counselling to affected families. Cookie Ventkesamy from the Women with Vision organisation, which has been working on the ground to provide humanitarian aid, said that while conditions were starting to improve in some areas, others remained in a state of severe distress. 'Gift of the Givers rescuers are at the dam, they are still searching for many bodies. People are still standing, saying their family members are missing. We've been to some areas where many people are still homeless, there are a lot of people that still need to be placed in Ngqeleni. In Northcrest, it seems to be under control. There are mattresses, heating, and blankets etc.' She said they would be going to some areas to distribute clothes and soup. Additional reporting by AFP. Cape Times
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
'A National Tragedy': Gift of the Givers expands relief efforts as floods devastate Eastern Cape
Localised flooding has been reported in Butterworth. Image: Gift of the Givers As adverse weather conditions continue to affect the Eastern Cape, the humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers has deployed additional volunteers to the province. The organisation's spokesperson, Ali Sablay that search and rescue teams are being deployed in response to the severe flooding in Amathole and OR Tambo District Municipalities. Gift of the Givers expanded its operations in the province. Earlier this week, teams were initially deployed to Butterworth. 'The floods have caused extensive damage, particularly in Butterworth and Mthatha, displacing nearly 10,000 people. Emergency teams have been deployed to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to families evacuated to community halls in Butterworth, Nelson Mandela Bay, and Mthatha,' Sablay said. By Wednesday evening, the death toll in the province was at 49. 49 people died in the Eastern Cape following heavy rains, flooding and snowfall. 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Next Stay Close ✕ 'Due to extensive damage to the Butterworth water treatment plant, which has cut off the town's water supply, Gift of the Givers has deployed two water tanker trucks for seven days, at the request of Amathole District Municipality Disaster Management and Mnquma Local Municipality,' Sablay said. He said additional supplies and resources have been brought in from other provinces to support relief efforts. In the coming days, operations will be extended to the Mthatha area in coordination with the OR Tambo District Municipality. 'At the request of Acting Eastern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, Gift of the Givers' specialised search and rescue teams will arrive in Mthatha on Thursday to assist in locating missing persons. The organisation commends the ongoing efforts of the SAPS diving unit and rescue teams,' Sablay said. Mountain passes are covered in thick snow. Image: Eastern Cape Department of Transport/Facebook Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said among the 49 people who died, there were children whose scholar transport was swept away in floodwaters. 'The severe weather has also caused power outages across several areas in the district. A coordinated, multi-disciplinary Emergency and Rescue Services team has been deployed and remains actively involved in recovery, evacuation, and support efforts across the affected areas in the province,' he said. 'Infrastructure technical teams have been activated to carry out assessments to ascertain the extent of the damage as well as interventions that are required across the province. At this stage, 20 health facilities have suffered damages to varying levels,' Mabuyane said. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Joy Maimela, expressed sadness and concern following the devastating floods in the province. On Tuesday, a 22-seater scholar transport minibus was swept off the R61, carrying 13 learners, two other passengers, and the driver. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and several learners are still unaccounted for. 'This is a national tragedy that has deeply impacted our education sector. The reports of learners being caught in these devastating floods underscore the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, particularly as they relate to the safety and well-being of our children. This disruption to schooling, coupled with the tragic loss of life, presents an immense challenge to the provincial education system,' Maimela said. IOL
