Latest news with #LulamaZenzile
News24
25-06-2025
- General
- News24
Accused teen killer assaulted in prison, forced to confess on camera
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The Citizen
24-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Eastern Cape floods: Here's how much victims will be given to rebuild their homes
In addition to homes, the flood also damaged schools and other public infrastructure. Flooded roads after heavy rains fell in Gqeberha on 10 June 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Lulama Zenzile The national Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) says funds for building materials will be provided to residents whose homes were damaged during the recent devastating floods in the Eastern Cape. The floods, which struck various areas in the province earlier this month, claimed the lives of at least 100 people and displaced many families. A national state of disaster was declared in response to the widespread destruction. Cogta on Eastern Cape floods Briefing parliament's portfolio committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Tuesday, Cogta Director-General Mbulelo Tshangana outlined the impact of the disaster. The damage, he said, extended beyond homes to include schools, infrastructure, healthcare facilities, and livestock. Many pupils missed exams, and access to medical care was disrupted. According to Tshangana, the total cost of repairing infrastructure damage in the province is estimated at nearly R5.2 billion (R5 184 065,438). ALSO READ: Eastern Cape floods will not be used as a get-rich-quick scheme, says acting premier This includes R3.2 billion (R3 267 288 077) in damage across several departments and R1.8 billion (R1 895 798 411) in municipal infrastructure losses. He stated that 6 869 households were affected, with 4 724 rendered homeless. A further 2 145 homes suffered partial damage. 'A lot of people were displaced as a result of the floods, and we need to house them in community halls and other structures,' Tshangana said. Watch the meeting below: Housing units Tshangana revealed that R461 million (R461 459 216) is required for temporary residential units, though the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements currently only has R120 million available. The affected families will receive no more than R12 000 each in building materials once damage assessments are completed by the end of the month. A total of R25.7 million has been allocated for this intervention 'Permanent solution will be provided on availability of funding and serviced land, based on qualifying beneficiaries,' the director-general told the committee on Tuesday. The long-term housing budget stands at R1.28 billion. READ MORE: Police deployed to protect Gift of the Givers workers from water mafia in Eastern Cape Temporary housing land has been identified in the Mnquma Local Municipality, where 1 100 units can be accommodated. The King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality is also seeking additional land beyond the 100 parcels already found. 'We want to make sure that we conclude this process as a matter of urgency so we can allocate those TRUs [Temporary Relocation Units] to those affected communities because it's really not nice if it is cold and they are still in community halls,' Tshangana said. Eskom and local municipalities will provide electricity and water to these temporary residential units. Road infrastructure Tshangana further informed MPs that road infrastructure, including bridges, was severely damaged in several districts, including Alfred Nzo, Amathole, Chris Hani and O.R. Tambo. The Eastern Cape Department of Transport is currently working on debris removal, repairing landslides, and restoring bridges. The cost of road infrastructure damage is estimated at R935 million, with R832 million needed to cover a R102 million shortfall. READ MORE: Eastern Cape residents say they've been ignored by government after floods The department reprioritised R47.1 million and will activate R55 million in disaster recovery funds for outsourced repairs. Despite some progress, at least 51 roads remain inaccessible due to washed-away bridges, collapsed stormwater pipes, gravel erosion, fallen trees, and debris. Tshangana said repairs are ongoing and that alternative routes are being used where possible. 'Road closures are being implemented… while in-house teams implement repairs.' He also mentioned that in Sakhisizwe, a team working on road repairs was violently attacked, and a tipper truck was vandalised. Eastern Cape floods impact on schools and health facilities The floods affected 431 schools and 69 health facilities. Tshangana said an order for R9 million has been issued for emergency health facility repairs, with R600 000 worth of work already completed. The Eastern Cape Department of Health has spent R87.1 million from its 2% disaster allocation and health facility revitalisation grant. 'R610 210 worth of damages from broken windows, flooding inside the building and R89 million worth of orders issued to contractors,' the director-general said. Medical equipment damage, including an MRI machine at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, amounted to R8.2 million, reprioritised from the National Treasury's services grant. READ MORE: Another tragic twist in Eastern Cape flood tragedy New generators are also required. Personnel-related costs included R300 000 for overtime and R150 000 for travel and logistics. In total, R95.7 million has been budgeted to address healthcare-related disaster needs. In the education sector, 1 471 classrooms were damaged, affecting 48 341 pupils. 'In the OR Tambo district, 492 learners lost their uniform and stationery,' Tshangana said, adding that the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development is assisting the affected pupils. Repairs to damaged schools are expected to cost R404 million. 'This is more or less the estimate. There might be changes in terms of the figures as we move forward,' Tshangana said.
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Eastern Cape tragedy: What flood victims need and how you can help
Gift of the Givers and others deployed to flood-ravaged Eastern Cape as nearly 10 000 were displaced. A man removes water from a shack after heavy rains fell in Motherwell on June 10, 2025 in Gqeberha, South Africa. Picture: Gallo Images/Die Burger/Lulama Zenzile Humanitarian organisations Gift of the Givers, the SA Red Cross Society, and others have ramped up emergency operations across the flood-stricken Amathole and OR Tambo District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape, where nearly 10 000 residents have been displaced by severe flooding. The towns of Butterworth and Mthatha have been hardest hit, with extensive infrastructure damage and widespread evacuations. According to Gift of Givers project manager, Ali Sablay, the community halls in Butterworth, Mthatha and Nelson Mandela Bay are now housing displaced families as officials work to assess the full extent of the crisis. What aid is needed Sablay told The Citizen, the situation was 'dire' and said there is an urgent need for: Blankets, Mattresses, Drinking water Toiletries. Those who want to assist can contact Gift of Givers on their toll-free number, 0800786911, or donate to the Gift of the Giver foundation's bank account. The affected families have been provided with mattresses, blankets, and hot meals as part of the ongoing relief efforts. Banking details: Gift of the Givers Foundation Standard Bank Account number: 052137228 SA Red Cross The South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) has also mobilised emergency response teams to the area, providing 180 blankets and mattresses worth R280 000. The society appealed for financial and in-kind contributions to expand relief efforts, deploy volunteers, provide psychosocial support, and assist with shelter, logistics, and recovery. Speaking to The Citizen, Eastern Cape Provincial Manager Caroline Gallant said there is an urgent need for: Hygiene kits, C lothing, Mattresses, and and Ready-made food. 'They [victims] only have the wet clothing on their backs. Many were caught unawares and were not able to pack a bag or get clean, dry clothes.' Gallant said monetary donations were also welcome, especially for the rebuild that will follow. Banking details: SA Red Cross Society Standard Bank Account number: 081082746 Donations can be made at Red Cross Offices in Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth and East London. ALSO READ: Nine dead as the Eastern Cape battles devastating floods EC government The Eastern Cape government has also called on those who can assist to drop off any donations at government buildings in the province. 'The affected families have been provided with mattresses, blankets, and hot meals as part of the ongoing relief efforts.' Black Coffee Foundation The Black Coffee Foundation is also on the ground and noted that the affected are in urgent need of: Blankets Warm clothing Non-perishable food Toiletries Sanitary items Baby supplies 'We're calling on our network, partners, and friends of the Foundation to stand with Mthatha. Let's show up with love and action,' it said. Those willing can donate to the foundation's bank account. Banking details: Black Coffee Foundation First National Bank (FNB) Account number: 62922110812 ALSO READ: Where are the kids? Eastern Cape scholar transport recovered, but children still missing [VIDEO] Water crisis in Butterworth Butterworth's water treatment plant has sustained major damage, cutting off the town's primary water supply. In response, Gift of the Givers has deployed two water tanker trucks for seven days, following a request from the Amathole District Municipality Disaster Management and the Mnquma Local Municipality. 'We are on the ground providing water to thousands of residents who have lost everything in the floods. 'Our teams are also distributing food, blankets, and hygiene packs to those in temporary shelters,' said Sablay. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa urges caution as floods claims lives in Eastern Cape National effort and coordination Relief supplies and personnel have been mobilised from outside the province to support escalating operations. The full-scale deployment in Mthatha is expected to begin in the coming days, in coordination with the OR Tambo District Municipality. Gift of the Givers has extended its appreciation to Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, MEC for COGTA Zolile Williams, and local municipalities for their ongoing support. NOW READ: Santaco mourns deaths of pupils in Eastern Cape floods
