(Foto: Jared Sacks/Facebook)
A total of 39 schools were damaged and at least 11 000 learners affected by the recent floods in the OR Tambo municipal district in the Eastern Cape.
According to the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape, 29 of these schools were still inaccessible this past weekend because bridges used to travel to the schools were destroyed due to the flood waters.
The education department said it will ensure that all the learners receive the necessary support.
“A program has been introduced to help learners who missed school due to the recent floods to catch up on their school work,” says the department.
(Foto: Natalie Richards/Facebook)
Port St. Johns was worst affected by the floods, with heavy rains pouring in March 23 rained out here and in surrounding areas.
Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa visited the area last week to determine the extent of the damage.
Zimkitha Macingwane, spokesperson for the OR Tambo District Municipality, confirmed that four people have died after the heavy rain and one is still missing. The police divers are still searching for the missing man from the Rhole settlement in Lusikisiki, who was reported missing on March 24 (Friday).
A total of ten bridges were also built in Port St. Johns were washed away and other roads and buildings were damaged.
At least 1,000 people have now been left homeless after having to evacuate the area because their homes were under water.
These residents have been offered temporary accommodation and according to Macingwane, building materials for erecting temporary structures have also already been unloaded.
(Foto: O.R Tambo District Municipality/Facebook)
Nomakhosazana Meth, MEC for health in the Eastern Cape, on Sunday deployed a team of health workers who will provide much-needed health services to these residents.
Some of the services that will be offered include treatment of minor ailments, family planning, measles vaccination for children under five years of age and Covid-19 vaccination.
Meth will also visit the town on Monday. She is expected to be accompanied by officers from Vodacom to deliver food parcels to the affected residents. They will also visit residents housed at Green Farm Youth Center and Jungle Monkey B&B.
According to Macingwane, the municipality is scrambling to repair the damaged roads and infrastructure.
