The Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Ms Pamela Tshwete, has directed a team to work with the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Human Settlements to provide urgent relief to victims of the storm which destroyed housing structures in various wards of the Mhlontlo and King Sabata Local Municipalities.

The storm left hundreds of families homeless while six people have, regrettably, lost their lives after houses collapsed on them. Additionally, no less than 19 people have been transferred to the hospital for treatment of various injuries.

“We send our condolences to the families of the deceased, and losing a family member or loved ones always leave a lifetime mark and a wound that takes time to heal. We are a government that cares and will do everything in power to reach those families that need us the most at this time”, Deputy Minister Tshwete.

The assessment of a disaster has thus far revealed that the affected families need assistance with temporary shelter, food, clothes and blankets.

Accordingly, Deputy Minister Tshwete has called on all South Africans and business community to extend a helping hand and partner with government in its efforts to provide relief to the affected households.

Earlier today, she together with the Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and Human Settlements MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe visited Xhongorha and Sigubudwini Villages to assess the extent of the damage.

In her interaction with the communities, DM Tshwete said: “We are deploying national and provincial teams to urgently assess the damage so that necessary programmes in response to this disaster can take place. We want to bring normality to the lives of people of these areas as quickly as possible”.

Ends

Media Enquiries: Mandulo Maphumulo, Acting Head of Communications on 082 099 76 99 OR Yanga Funani, Spokesperson to the EC MEC of Human Settlements on 078 348 0099.


Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements
Govan Mbeki House
240 Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0001.