Pretoria - Cabinet has conveyed its condolences to the family and friends of those who lost their lives in the recent floods and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“The nation’s thoughts and prayers are with those whose loved ones are still missing,” Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Jeff Radebe said on Thursday.
Flash floods in Gauteng and Mpumalanga resulted in the loss of lives, displaced communities, especially in informal areas, and destroyed infrastructure such as roads, bridges and property.
Minister Radebe attributed the floods to the impact of climate change that is being felt through the severe weather conditions in the form of inconsistent rainfall, drought, excessive heat and flash flooding.
“The country’s disaster management teams remain on alert across the country, especially in areas where more rains are expected. All people must respect and respond to early warning of harsh weather,” said Minister Radebe.
Disaster teams have had their hands full, especially in Gauteng, where flash floods claimed the lives of six people, while a toddler is still missing in Stjwetla informal settlement along Jukskei River. More than 4 900 people were affected by the floods, according to Gauteng officials.
President Jacob Zuma, Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen inspected the area and visited homes.
President Zuma has directed an intergovernmental intervention, led by Minister Van Rooyen, to harness Jukskei River and buttress its banks to reduce the impact of flash floods on communities.
Cabinet has thanked community based NGOs, ward councillors and volunteers who came to the aid of residents.
The recent rains should, however, not draw South Africans into a false sense of security, as various parts of the country continue to experience drought.
“Cabinet calls on South Africans to be conscious of the impact their actions have on the environment and do all they can to save water,” said Minister Radebe.
Government has released water from Sterkfontein to Vaal Dam as a short-term measure to help ease the drought. It has also made an additional R212 million available in drought aid to support farmers in provinces that have been declared drought disaster areas. – SAnews.gov.za
