Pretoria: An urgent special meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management (ICDM) to respond to the country’s adverse weather conditions was convened by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa. The meeting was appraised by all provincial and sector departments on the state of play on the ground as disaster relief efforts are underway, stemming from the current incident. The Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs stated that solid progress has been made in ensuring families who have lost their homes are housed in alternative accommodation.
According to South African Government News Agency, the ICDM includes political leaders from all three levels of government and is responsible for ensuring a coordinated response across all sectors for the effective implementation of disaster management interventions. This group involves representatives from the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL). The Ministry believes that the current weather conditions are a reminder that climate change is real and that more needs to be done to save lives and livelihoods.
Technical experts have been mobilised to address the damaged water infrastructure and direct water tankers where needed. Meanwhile, teams are being deployed in some areas to provide psycho-social services. Social partners and non-governmental organisations like the Gift of the Givers and Al-Imdaad Foundation are also assisting. The ICDM has commended these organisations for their efforts to provide hot meals, blankets, and other support measures.
All provinces have faced severe incidents of extremely cold weather, with coastal provinces experiencing rough seas and rainfall. According to CoGTA, the Eastern Cape has been the hardest hit by the current severe weather incident. A tragic incident occurred when a scholar transport minibus was swept by water, leading to loss of life. The search for pupils who were swept away in floods near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape is set to resume after their minibus taxi was carried off a bridge. Some media reports indicate that three children survived the ordeal after being found clinging to a tree. The South African Police Service (SAPS) continues rescue operations and the search for the remaining learners around Mthatha.
The Eastern Cape Office of the Premier reported that the death toll in the OR Tambo District Municipality has risen to nine. Hundreds of people have been displaced and are currently accommodated in various community halls throughout the OR Tambo District Municipality. In the Amathole District, over 200 people have been relocated from the Sikiti Informal Settlement to A.B. Bam Primary School. Additionally, numerous people from the Eugene and Zithulele Informal Settlements have been housed at the Butterworth Town Hall. Power outages have been reported in some areas due to the torrential rains in both district municipalities.
The meeting acknowledged and praised the efforts of various cleanup teams, including those from the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) and several municipalities in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. These teams have successfully ensured the reopening of all major roads, allowing traffic to flow. Many roads had been impassable since the weekend due to heavy snowfall. The public is reminded to drive with extreme caution on wet roads and advised not to attempt crossing streams or strong flowing rivers.