Ramaphosa calls for day of mourning to honour flood victims.

By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

President Cyril Ramaphosa visited flood-affected areas in the Eastern Cape following rising casualties and damage to infrastructure caused by the severe weather. 

The death toll in the province has risen to 78 and could increase further as search and rescue operations are continuing.

Since early June, the South African Weather Service (Saws) has issued multiple alerts warning of flooding, disrupted transport, and coastal damage. The Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal have borne the brunt, with widespread power outages, infrastructure damage and emergency operations in full swing.

Ramaphosa traveled to the town of Mthatha, where the floods hit hardest when they began in the early hours of Tuesday.

He was accompanied by Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube, District Mayor of O.R. Tambo Municipality Mesuli Ngqondwana and Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder and chair of the Gift of the Givers Foundation.

“This is a catastrophic disaster for us, which is caused by climate change because we are not used to floods during winter,” Ramaphosa told the Mthatha community.

During winter, we expect the cold here in the Eastern Cape, but now we are confronting floods. This goes to show the severity of the issue of climate change.”

The government has declared a state of disaster in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Free State. The classification makes it possible for the government to support the impacted provinces with an integrated response.

Ramaphosa called for a national day of mourning to honour those who lost their lives.

He pledged that the government would act swiftly to support affected families and said officials would assess the kind of help required. He also urged the affected families to be patient as the government works to provide assistance.

The president also warned citizens about building homes in riverplains, which puts them in danger. However, he noted that the government would first prioritise laying the deceased to rest before proceeding with recovery plans.

Ramaphosa further acknowledged the role of faith-based organisations and NGOs like Gift of the Givers for their continuing presence and support.

“We say thank you again to our religious leaders, our pastors, that they are here on the ground, continuously supporting the families of those who have lost their loved ones.”