Ramaphosa extends condolences to E Cape flood victims’ families

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his condolences to families in the Eastern Cape who lost loved ones in the recent floods affecting the Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City metros.

In his statement, Ramaphosa expressed sympathy for the families of residents who are still missing.

“The loss of life, property, and the destruction of public infrastructure by the forces of nature saddens all of us as South Africans, but the aftermath is best overcome when we work together, as we are seeing in the Eastern Cape,” Ramaphosa states.

He praised the community and other stakeholders for their response to the crisis. With winter approaching, Ramaphosa has also warned South Africans to heed weather alerts and exercise caution on the roads during poor weather conditions.

Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya adds, “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.”

In response to the crisis, the Uitenhage Moravian Church has opened its doors to displaced residents from Lapland. Church spokesperson Chanel Van Sesie said donations to help the displaced are welcome.

“Yesterday, we opened up as a feeding centre but last night we changed over and let the people from our Lapland sleep in – who were brought here by the police and councillors. So, we have been feeding them, we have been trying to keep them warm and we supplied them with blankets to keep them warm and safe here,” Van Sesie says.

Government to provide temporary shelter to affected residents