Latest news with #ZolileWilliams
Zawya
2 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
South Africa: Eastern Cape floods cause $282mln in damage – health facilities among worst hit
Homes, roads, bridges, schools and clinics were swept away as floods tore through the Eastern Cape — causing damage estimated at R5bn, with health facilities among the hardest hit. The Eastern Cape government says it will need at least R88m to repair hospitals and clinics damaged during the disaster. The province's Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) department confirmed that 63 healthcare facilities sustained damage in the deluge. The severe weather, which struck 38 days ago, caused widespread destruction across the Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi and Sarah Baartman municipalities, while the OR Tambo and Amathole districts were the most severely affected. Providing an update from Mthatha on Wednesday, 17 July 2025 Cogta MEC Zolile Williams said recovery and disaster-response efforts were underway, with health infrastructure forming a key focus due to the level of destruction. 'Repairs will cost approximately R88m,' said Williams. 'Immediate repair work has already started at some facilities, and primary healthcare services have continued to reach the hardest-hit communities.' Williams added that a comprehensive assessment and verification of infrastructure damage had been completed by technical teams, paving the way for targeted recovery operations. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
IOL News
6 days ago
- Climate
- IOL News
Tragic Eastern Cape floods: 103 lives lost and one child still missing
Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams (left) held a media briefing on disaster management response and recovery following the province's deadly floods. Image: Eastern Cape Office of the Premier/ Facebook Rescue teams are still searching for a child while three bodies remain unclaimed following deadly floods in the Eastern Cape. The floods caused extensive destruction, resulting in fatalities, infrastructure damage, displaced families, and livestock losses. Additionally, water and electricity services were disrupted, and access to healthcare was impaired. The hardest hit by the inclement weather on June 9 and 10 were the OR Tambo and Amathole district municipalities. Parts of Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani District, Joe Gqabi and Sarah Baartman municipalities were also affected. The disaster was officially classified as a national disaster. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ During a media briefing on Wednesday, Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams said the number of deaths remains at 103, and 100 of them have been identified and buried. 'One child is still missing, and the rescue teams are still searching. Three bodies remain unclaimed, two of which have not been positively identified through the national population register,' Williams said. He urged those who are still searching for missing loved ones to come forward, as the information can help rescue teams determine if any individuals are still unaccounted for and to continue their search efforts. For burials, Williams said a coordinated task team was established to work closely with families, for proper coordination of burial services and support for all the deceased. Williams said the disaster affected over 6,869 households. Of these, 4,724 homes were destroyed, leaving thousands homeless, while 2,145 homes were partially damaged. 'To date, more than 1,353 displaced individuals have been accommodated across mass care centres and 122 in Temporary Emergency Accommodation, prioritising the most vulnerable groups, with full access to healthcare, food, sanitation, dignity packs, mattresses, blankets, and school uniforms. Numbers at mass care centres are decreasing as people either seek shelter with their relatives or go back to their houses as they become habitable,' Williams said. He added that the Department of Home Affairs has been helping individuals. As a result, a total of 1,197 Smart ID card applications have been received and are currently being processed. While 103 birth certificate applications were finalised, with 22 certificates already collected by applicants. Additionally, 100 death certificates were also registered and issued.
Eyewitness News
7 days ago
- General
- Eyewitness News
EC govt faces funding shortfall for families displaced by floods
JOHANNESBURG - The Eastern Cape Human Settlements Department said that while R461 million is required for temporary residential units to house flood victims, it only has R120 million. The number of units required is 4,724 across six municipalities. The deadly floods that started in June claimed the lives of at least 103 people and left thousands more homeless. The provincial government held a media briefing in Mthatha to update on disaster response and recovery operations. Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department MEC Zolile Williams said, 'The Department of Human Settlements stands ready to start the erection of TRUs; however, we have experienced delays due to community resistance to accommodate victims of floods in both municipalities despite social facilitation efforts.' ALSO READ: Eastern Cape govt estimates R88m needed to repair healthcare facilities damaged by recent floods
The Star
27-06-2025
- Climate
- The Star
South Africa declares national disaster as Eastern Cape floods kill 101
CAPE TOWN, June 27 (Xinhua) -- A national disaster has been declared in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province after recent devastating floods killed 101 people and caused widespread destruction. "The South African government has officially declared a national disaster in response to the widespread destruction caused by the severe weather, following a comprehensive assessment of the ongoing crisis," said Zolile Williams, Eastern Cape's member of the Executive Council for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, in a statement issued Thursday by the provincial government. "The declaration, made in terms of the Disaster Management Act, comes amid heavy rainfall, flooding, strong winds, and snowfall that have battered parts of the country, with the Eastern Cape being the hardest hit," he said. As of Thursday, 101 people had died as a result of the disastrous weather conditions that hit the province, including 38 children, he added. Meanwhile, according to the statement, the floods on June 9-10 affected a total of 6,869 households, leaving 4,724 people homeless across the province, excluding the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, while 2,145 homes were partially damaged. Farmers lost 1,339 livestock, and 1,803 hectares of crops were destroyed. Williams further noted that the floods caused significant damage to both economic and social infrastructure. "Infrastructure damage assessments have been completed. The cost of repairing damaged infrastructure is estimated at 5.1 billion rand (about 286 million U.S. dollars). About 3.2 billion rand is required across sector departments and 1.8 billion rand for municipal infrastructure, as per the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent assessments," he said. "An amount of 461 million rand is required for Temporary Residential Units. However, the province currently has 120 million rand, and we are appealing to the national government for intervention in this area," he added. "For road infrastructure, repair costs are estimated at 935 million rand, of which 102 million rand has been reprioritized from the Department of Transport budget, leaving a deficit of 832 million rand for which intervention is required." However, Williams also reported progress in several areas, including the resumption of classes at local schools, the restoration of basic services in affected communities, and the identification of land to facilitate the delivery of Temporary Residential Units and permanent housing. Electricity supply has been restored to over 80 percent of affected customers, and more than 95 percent of the water supply has been restored in the O.R. Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities, which were the hardest hit, he said. "The government continues to appeal for support from the private sector, businesses, and individuals to assist with donations of food, clothing, blankets, furniture, and other essentials. Every contribution makes a meaningful difference in helping communities recover and rebuild. Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind as we work to restore dignity and hope to those impacted by this disaster," he added.
IOL News
27-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
Eastern Cape floods prompt national disaster declaration as death toll surpasses 100
The Gift of the Givers have been involved in the search and rescue operations in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape after devastating floods earlier this month claimed more than 100 lives. Image: Supplied The Eastern Cape province is reeling from the aftermath of devastating floods that have claimed the lives of more than 100 individuals and resulted in damage estimated at billions of rand. The national disaster declaration was announced by Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Zolile Williams on Thursday, following floods earlier this month. Williams said following a comprehensive assessment, the South African government has officially declared a national disaster in response to this widespread destruction caused by the severe weather. While the death toll is expected to increase, Williams said as of June 26, 101 people were confirmed to have died as a result of the floods. The youngest victim, an infant of approximately 12 months, was recovered in Mthatha, while the search for two missing children continues. 'Ninety-four have been identified and handed over to their families. Processes are still ongoing to identify the remaining seven bodies.' Of the deceased, 38 are children, and 32 have been identified as pupils, he said. Williams said due to the time that has passed since the start of the disaster, DNA tests may be required to positively identify bodies found decomposed, thus implying that it may take longer to identify the deceased. The MEC said the province is still busy with the first phase of disaster relief, with the immediate response and humanitarian relief. According to Williams, response systems and mechanisms have been activated, and the department has partnered with humanitarian organisations like Gift of the Givers and Al-Imdaad Foundation, as well as private sector entities such as Old Mutual, MTN, Vodacom, local businesses, and supermarkets. He said that through these collaborations, relief support continues to reach communities whose homes and belongings were destroyed by the floods. The Department of Education has started replacing pupil and teacher support materials lost or destroyed in the disaster and providing uniforms to those affected, Williams said. The MEC said that despite the devastation, progress has been made in restoring services. 'The electricity supply has been restored to over 80% of affected customers, with over 95% of the water supply having been restored in OR Tambo and Amathole district municipalities, which were the most affected districts,' said Williams. He noted that the floods also caused significant damage to both economic and social infrastructure, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and livestock. 'The estimated cost of repairing the damaged infrastructure is R5.1 billion, with approximately R3.2 billion allocated to various sector departments and R1.8 billion for municipal infrastructure, according to the MISA assessment.' Regarding road infrastructure, he indicated that the estimated repair costs amount to R935 million, with R102 million allocated from the Department of Transport's budget. The MEC said a total of 6,869 households have been affected, of which 4,724 people have been left homeless across the province, except for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Municipality. 'While 2,145 homes were partially damaged, about R461 million is required for temporary residential units,' Williams said, adding that the province has allocated an amount of R120 million in this regard. He said the Department of Human Settlements, in partnership with the OR Tambo District Municipality, has successfully activated mass care shelters, including bed and breakfast facilities and community halls, to provide immediate housing for displaced families in OR Tambo and Inxuba. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecaster Andre Fourie confirmed that rain showers will begin to taper off by Sunday before bringing additional rainfall mid-week. As of Friday and Saturday, Fourie said Cape Town is anticipating a 60% chance of showers, along with a yellow level one warning indicating a minor impact with a medium likelihood of occurrence. He said over the weekend, the rain is expected to diminish significantly, with only a 30% chance of showers along the southern coast of the Western Cape, extending as far as Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. Fourie predicted a dry day across the nation on Monday, providing a much-needed respite. Looking ahead, he stated that a new cold front is anticipated to approach the Western Cape by Tuesday. Rainfall is expected to return to both the Western and Eastern Cape on Wednesday, with a low-pressure system predicted to influence South Africa's weather on Thursday. This could lead to showers across the western parts of the Free State and North West provinces as well.
