The South African government has identified land to which it will relocate thousands of families affected by flood in the Eastern Cape provincial town of Port St. Johns, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday.
Speaking during a visit to the town on Tuesday, Ramaphosa assured the residents that a contractor would start building them temporary structures on Wednesday.
He said local traditional leaders had identified land where the structures would be built.
“Government is gearing into action. We’ve got contractors that will start building temporary structures for the homeless,” the president said.
According to officials, more than 500 people were displaced from their homes following last week’s floods in Port St. Johns and are being accommodated in a youth centre in the area.
At least three people were reported missing as the heavy rains triggered floods and mudslides in Port St. Johns, damaging critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges and disrupting services like water reticulation and sanitation.
NM/jn/APA