The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Eastern Cape pledges its support and solidarity to the victims of the recent floods that have devastated different parts of the province.
Residents of Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City were among those that were affected. The floods have caused extensive damage to infrastructure. The Karmesh area in Kariega where seven people lost lives was the hardest hit, followed by Wells Estate where two lives were lost. Both areas are in Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality.
One person has perished while 3 064 people have been displaced in Buffalo City Metro, mainly in Duncan village. The municipality requires 2 000 temporary structures as a result. COSATU expresses its heartfelt condolences to those who lost family members during this period.
COSATU commends the intervention by the Eastern Cape Provincial Government led by the Premier, Honourable Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, MECs of relevant departments and Mayors of the two metros in assisting the affected communities.
We look forward to speedy interventions that will help the affected to reorganize their livelihood.
We also urge government to investigate and start rolling out initiatives to mitigate climate change as more of these inclement weather episodes are bound to occur if nothing is done.
Issued by COSATU Eastern Cape
For more information, please contact:
Mkhawuleli Maleki
COSATU Provincial Secretary
Mobile: 082 339 5482
Email: mkhawuleli@cosatu.org.za