Charles Molele
President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of flood victims in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
Ramaphosa was speaking in Amanzimtoti in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday where he arrived to assess the damage caused by the floods that has ravaged large parts of Durban on Monday evening, claiming 51 lives and displacing thousands.
He said there are more than 1,000 people who are currently displaced due to the floods in both KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape.
Ramaphosa has also commended the police, the army, the Gift of
the Givers and other rescue service teams for providing shelter, food and beds
to victims of floods.
He said government has requested money from National Treasury to assist all
those affected by ‘this terrible disaster’.
“I have contacted National Treasury to ask for money. Money is going to be needed to mobilize resources so that our people who are in need are assisted. It will take time but the SA government will assist. Our hearts go out to the families of those who have been badly affected by the floods,” said Ramaphosa.
“We commend our people for taking risky action. Government at all levels is giving as much assistance as possible, particularly for those who have been displaced.”
He said the floods were happening as a result of climate change.
He added that government would also visit the Eastern Cape in due course in order to assess the damage caused by the floods in the region.
