President Cyril Ramaphosa has flown to KwaZulu-Natal, on his return from Egypt, to assess flood damage and review the rescue operations under way in the ravaged province.
“Our thoughts are with the affected communities in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. I urge those living in the affected areas to take extra caution in this period, the president tweeted early on Wednesday morning.
PRESIDENT TO VISIT FLOOD-DAMAGED AREAS President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his personal sadness at the loss of life and damage to property experienced in storm-affected parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, and has undertaken to visit affected communities after his return from his current Working Visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt. President Ramaphosa will return to South Africa later today, Tuesday 23 April 2019, following a Working Visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt where the President attended an emergency African Union (AU) Troika Summit convened to discuss the political and security situations in the Republic of Sudan and Libya. The President has said: “As South Africans, the entire nation’s thoughts and prayers are with the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape who have been affected by the forces of nature against which they had little defence. “Our hearts go out particularly to families and communities who have been directly affected by death, injury and the loss of property. This situation calls on all of us to pull together as a country to reach out to affected communities and to help alleviate their hardship.” The President has welcomed the response of provincial authorities and national agencies to the calamity, as well as the support and goodwill – material and otherwise – provided by various sectors of civil society. President Ramaphosa has undertaken to visit some of the affected areas following his return from Egypt, as part of reaching out to communities and assessing recovery efforts. The President has reiterated the call made by government for community members to avoid crossing low-lying bridges, streams and rivers; and for motorists to exercise caution and avoid driving in flooded areas. In the event of an emergency, members of the public should call the emergency management services on 10177. Weather SA has urged the public to regularly follow weather forecasts on television and radio. Updated information can also be found at www.weathersa.co.za Issued by the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa
Posted by The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa on Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Ramaphosa had been in Cairo on Tuesday, attending summits on Sudan and Libya.
The death toll from torrential rains that ravaged KwaZulu-Natal since Monday night stands at 51, as at 9.30am on Wednesday.
Rescue efforts are also under way in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape. The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) arrived in the coastal town on Tuesday to help rescue and evacuate hundreds of residents left homeless by torrential rains.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa praised Ramaphosa for taking action to help residents in the Eastern Cape.
Thanking President Cyril Ramaphosa. At 17.21 yesterday I alerted him of the Port St Johns floods and he responded as follows, “ Will act .Am on the way to Cairo but will get SANDF team to go”. Leadership!
— Bantu Holomisa (@BantuHolomisa) April 23, 2019
Meanwhile, in Durban harbour and its beaches, heaps of plastic are being washed into the sea as litter is fed through the city's storm water drains, according to environmentalists and residents.
The #DurbanFloods have really brought to light the huge #PlasticPollution crisis in South Africa. These photos, taken by .@Naeempandor at Blue Lagoon in Durban, say it all! #BreakFreeFromPlastic pic.twitter.com/eEXLmXlv4H
— Greenpeace Africa (@Greenpeaceafric) April 23, 2019
Posted by Gary Gould on Tuesday, April 23, 2019
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