South Africa

Government is taking a phased approach to deal with the effects of floods that have ravaged KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape provinces.

Cabinet has declared a National State of Disaster in response to floods, which have wreaked havoc in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Eastern Cape.

The Department of Home Affairs says most of its offices in the KwaZulu-Natal province are experiencing network problems.

The Department of Water and Sanitation has reiterated that the Shongweni Dam, located west of Pinetown, in KwaZulu-Natal, has not collapsed.

South Africa has recorded 1 659 new COVID-19 cases bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3 735 578.

Law enforcement agencies are expected to be out in full force as thousands of travellers head to various destinations over the Easter long weekend.

Eskom says it is remains cautiously optimistic that stage two load shedding will be lifted on Friday morning ahead of the Easter weekend.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the loss of life and damage to infrastructure that occurred during flooding in KwaZulu-Natal as a disaster of “enormous proportions”.

National Disaster Management Centre head, Dr Mmaphaka Tau, has classified this week’s KwaZulu-Natal floods as a provincial disaster.

Transnet National Ports Authority has rescued at least 80 people during the torrential flooding in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal.

The Department of Water and Sanitation has cautioned faith-based communities to avoid water bodies during the coming Easter weekend.

President Ramaphosa has told the people of KwaZulu-Natal that government will intervene to help families affected by the floods.

The Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water and Sanitation says mitigation strategies must be put in place to avert the annual recurrence of disasters, as seen in KwaZulu-Natal.

Eskom Chief Executive, Andre de Ruyter, says the power utility will not be implementing stage two load shedding at the flood-hit eThekweni Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.

More than 100 schools have been affected by flooding in KwaZulu-Natal.