Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has conveyed condolences to families who have lost loved ones as a result of the recent floods.
"Our hearts go out to the families who have lost their loved ones in the floods. Many of our citizens have had their homes and valuable belongings washed away or destroyed by floods. It is a painful and difficult situation to lose one's life possessions in such an abrupt manner and we understand the frustrations and helplessness that people feel," said Zuma in a statement.
Many parts of the country have been experiencing continued downpours leading to flooding. According to reports, more than 30 people have died while thousands more have been left homeless.
More rain has been forecast in the coming days.
"We urge communities, particularly those in low-lying areas, to be vigilant and support one another," said Zuma.
An Inter-Ministerial Committee on Disaster Management met at the weekend to discuss relief mechanisms in the face of increasing incidents of flooding in various parts of the country.
The meeting was expected to work out details of government's response plan to the flooding.
The IMC is chaired by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sicelo Shiceka, and is made up of the departments of Water and Environmental Affairs, Health, Basic Education, Agriculture, Social Development, Police, Human Settlements and Tourism.
"Government will do everything it can to avoid loss of life as a result of floods and urges everyone to cooperate with disaster management personnel as they respond to disasters," the President said.
Meanwhile, residents living in low-lying areas - including Orange Farm, Diepsloot, some parts of Soweto, Vaal, Alexandra, Kliptown, Ivory Park and Atteridgeville - have received a further flood warning from the Gauteng Department of Local Government and Housing.
The Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), located in Midrand, is on high alert to assist in evacuating residents who might be affected by the floods.
The PDMC and the City of Johannesburg, the SAPS and SANDF have set up a Joint Operation Centre (JOC) to attend to victims of floods.
Communities are also urged to report flooding to the National Disaster Management Centre at 012-3365742 or 10177.
