More than 1,000 people displaced in deadly floods in Eastern Cape

JOHANNESBURG - Nelson Mandela Bay emergency services said that more than 1,000 people had been displaced following deadly floods in the Eastern Cape.

Seven people died in the heavy rains which swept through parts of Kariega, Gqeberha and East London on Saturday. 

Humanitarian aid group, Gift of the Givers, has stepped in to assist those affected.

Emergency services acting spokesperson, Henry Landsdown: "At this stage, we've got approximately 1,300 people displaced and obviously those people are being taken care of in various shelter facilities, church halls, community halls and so forth. So, we've got about 12 shelter facilities at this stage that we're trying to assist those people as much as we can."

President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded authorities, non-governmental organisations and communities for how they have dealt with rescue efforts in the Eastern Cape. 

Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to the families of the victims. 

“The President also calls on citizens to reach out to vulnerable members of their families and communities, to make this season as comfortable and safe as possible for people who have limited resources or live on their own,’ said spokesperson in The Presidency Vincent Magwenya.

Meanwhile, Rise Mzansi has called on the Eastern Cape government to assess whether communities have adequate drainage infrastructure.

The provincial transport department has also reported 10 people who lost their lives on the province’s Roads.

“We thank the Gift of the Givers for stepping in as they have always done in the midst of a crisis. We call on the national government to provide the local and provincial authorities with all the necessary resources and support be it humanitarian, monitory or otherwise, to ensure that this crisis does not take any more lives,” said spokesperson Gugu Ndima.