Nokukhanya Mntambo8 June 2024 | 7:19

Ramaphosa worried about climate change impact on SA in wake of floods in EC, WC, KZN tornado

This comes after some communities in the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape were recently battered by heavy rains and flooding. Northern KwaZulu-Natal was also hit by a tornado at the start of the week.

Ramaphosa worried about climate change impact on SA in wake of floods in EC, WC, KZN tornado

President Cyril Ramaphosa. Picture: GCIS

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he was worried about the impact of climate change as parts of the country reel from devastating natural disasters.

This comes after some communities in the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape were recently battered by heavy rains and flooding.

Northern KwaZulu-Natal was also hit by a tornado at the start of the week.

ALSO READ: Inclement weather conditions cause havoc across SA

Scores of people were confirmed dead in these areas, while extensive damage to infrastructure was reported.

While mop-up operations are currently underway, Ramaphosa told destitute families in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, that the government would tighten up its response to natural disasters.

"The problem with it all is climate change. The climate change that we experienced in South Africa is such that even in the winter, we have heavy rains. 

"The rain causes a lot of disaster and damage, and that’s why we are here, that’s why we are where we are."