Government declares Eastern Cape floods a national disaster
READ: Search efforts continue as cold front hits Eastern Cape
Provincial government says over R5-billion is needed to repair damaged infrastructure.
At least 101 people have been killed and nearly 5,000 others are homeless.
Meanwhile, the search for two missing children continues. Eastern Cape Cogta MEC Zolile Williams discussed this with eNCA.
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Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Eyewitness News
Deadly Eastern Cape floods declared a national disaster
Mongezi Koko 26 June 2025 | 10:53 Eastern Cape EMS team members recovered another body on 24 June 2025, following flooding in the province earlier in June. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN JOHANNESBURG - Government has now officially declared the deadly floods in the Eastern Cape a national disaster, opening the door for greater support and funding from Treasury. The announcement was made by Eastern Cape COGTA MEC Zolile Williams during a briefing in Mthatha on Thursday, confirming that what was previously classified as a disaster has now been formally gazetted under the Disaster Management Act. The move follows a comprehensive damage assessment, with infrastructure losses estimated at around R5 billion, with more than 4,700 people homeless. ALSO READ: • Search and rescue teams in Mthatha anticipate difficult conditions as cold front moves in • As govt works on emergency relief measures for EC, Godongwana warns against inflating of prices • EC flooding rescuers alarmed by govt's delayed reporting on discovery of bodies • Call for improved measures to deal with disasters So far, the death toll is 101 and is expected rise as search and recovery operations continue. The declaration paves the way for national government intervention, including additional funding, technical support and emergency resources for the hardest-hit communities. MEC Williams said that it would help the province fast-track recovery but warned that the impact of the floods would be felt for months to come. "The declaration made in terms of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 comes amid heavy rainfall, flooding, strong winds and snowfall that have battered parts of the country, with the Eastern Cape being the hardest hit."
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Eyewitness News
EC govt denies claims that flood survivors being told to return to unsafe homes
MTHATHA - The Eastern Cape government has rubbished claims that flood survivors are being told to return to homes that may be unsafe, calling the reports false, dangerous and misleading. This comes as parts of the province enters day two of a biting cold front, with snow reported in high-lying areas and heavy rains predicted over the next 48 hours. ALSO READ: - EC flood survivors may need to wait up to 3 months to be housed - EC govt recognises deficit of more than R800m to restore flood-damaged roads - Deadly Eastern Cape floods declared a national disaster Officials said no one was being forced to move back and that safety remained the priority as teams continue damage assessments and humanitarian support. The province said it's concerned about false information circulating in some communities, insisting that residents should only return to their homes once they've been inspected and cleared by structural engineers. In districts like OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo and Chris Hani, dozens of homes remain uninhabitable or destroyed entirely. Emergency shelters and community halls continue to house those displaced, with a focus now shifting to long-term reconstruction plans. "We have not instructed anyone to return there because the challenge is you sending the people back to those homes and the structures have been affected because the homes have been underwater," said provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Zolile Williams. But with freezing weather now gripping the region, the pressure is mounting to move quickly, as communities face a dual crisis of loss and exposure.
eNCA
5 days ago
- eNCA
Government declares Eastern Cape floods a national disaster
GQEBERHA - A National Disaster has been declared in the Eastern Cape, unlocking much need assistance for flood affected communities. READ: Search efforts continue as cold front hits Eastern Cape Provincial government says over R5-billion is needed to repair damaged infrastructure. At least 101 people have been killed and nearly 5,000 others are homeless. Meanwhile, the search for two missing children continues. Eastern Cape Cogta MEC Zolile Williams discussed this with eNCA.
