By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The death toll from severe floods earlier this month in Eastern Cape province has risen to 101, with a 12-month-old baby the youngest fatality.
Zolile Williams, Eastern Cape Cogta MEC, provided the updated death toll at a press briefing Thursday and said search operations continued for the two missing children.
Williams said 94 of the 101 victims had been identified and their bodies had been handed over to their families. The victims included 38 children. More than 4,000 people have been left homeless across the Eastern Cape province.
South Africa last week declared a state of national disaster, allowing the government to release funding for relief services.
Williams said that an estimated 5 million would be needed to replace damaged infrastructure and the province, one of the poorest in South Africa, needed help from the national government.
South Africa is vulnerable to strong weather fronts that blow in from the Indian and Southern Oceans. In 2022, more than 400 people died in flooding caused by prolonged heavy rains in the east coast city of Durban and surrounding areas.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the National Disaster Management Centre and respective provincial and municipal disaster management centres continue to provide reports on assessments and response measures.
“The immediate priority remains to provide emergency shelter and relief materials needed by affected communities to stabilise the situation, “Ntshavheni said.
She said work also continues to restore basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity. “This includes ensuring that those affected obtain identity (ID) documents and temporary ID certificates to access essential services”.
“An assessment of damage to homes and infrastructure and a plan for reconstruction is under way. Once completed, it will allow for the preparation of a comprehensive rehabilitation programme,” Ntshavheni said.