The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the Eastern Cape pledges its support and solidarity to the victims of the recent floods that had devastating effects in different parts of the province.

Five Local municipalities of Chris Hani District Municipality, namely Enoch Mgijima, Emalahleni, Sakhisizwe, A.B. Xuma and Intsika Yethu were affected. In the Amathole District, Ngqushwa and Raymond Mhlaba, Willowvale and Coffee Bay were left in distress. Infrastructure and businesses were waterlogged, and houses were highly damaged. Those in the informal areas are among the hardest hit as many are left with nothing.

The flood caused extensive and catastrophic ruin in the province. More painful is that lives have been lost and there are still people missing. A number of those who were missing have been recovered and the search continues for the rest. COSATU expresses its heartfelt condolences to those who lost family members during this period.

COSATU applauds the intervention by the political leadership and the Gift of the Givers in assisting the affected communities. Furthermore, the Federation is encouraged by the commitments made by the Premier of the Province and the national government’s declaration of the floods as a national disaster.

We are looking forward to speedy interventions that would help the affected to reorganize their lives. The business sector is also looking upon government to mitigate the impact of the floods as some business premises were damaged and others had to close operations.

We call upon all who can lend a helping hand to the communities to do so graciously, be it members of the public, charity organizations, or the private sector. Working with government in addressing the plight of the affected communities would bring relief to those in need.

Issued by COSATU Eastern Cape

Contact:

Mkhawuleli Maleki

COSATU Provincial Secretary

Mobile: 082 339 5482