The death toll for the Mthatha floods has increased to 101. The total cost of repairing infrastructure damage in the province is an estimated R5.2 billion. This includes R3.2 billion in damage across several departments and R1.8 billion in municipal infrastructure losses.
The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs estimates that repairing the infrastructure damaged by the Mthatha floods in the Eastern Cape will cost more than 5 billion rand. They said R461 million might be needed to provide temporary shelters for all those left homeless and currently only R120 million is currently available. This means each household will be allocated R12 000 in building materials from the R25.7 million relief budget to rebuild their lives.
Heavy rain ripped through parts of Mthatha and the Amathole district, displacing thousands of people and killing hundreds of others. Hundreds of families who lost their homes in the deadly Eastern Cape floods will receive the money that will go towards building materials. There are 431 schools that have been affected, with exams disrupted. Hospitals and clinics have experienced service interruptions, with 69 health facilities affected to varying degrees. There are a recorded 6,869 households affected and 4,724 of those were completely displaced. According to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the money comes from a R25.7 million relief budget and will be shared among households who qualify once officials complete their assessments.
The families are currently still sheltering in community halls, on floors sharing limited resources, and hoping permanent help will come soon. CoGTA’s director general Mbulelo Tshangana briefed Parliament this week. He said a proper housing solution will only be possible “based on the availability of funding and serviced land”.
