President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his personal sadness at the loss of life and damage to property experienced in storm-affected parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, and has undertaken to visit affected communities after his return from his current Working Visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt.
President Ramaphosa will return to South Africa later today, Tuesday 23 April 2019, following a Working Visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt where the President attended an emergency African Union (AU) Troika Summit convened to discuss the political and security situations in the Republic of Sudan and Libya.
The President has said: “As South Africans, the entire nation’s thoughts and prayers are with the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape who have been affected by the forces of nature against which they had little defence.
“Our hearts go out particularly to families and communities who have been directly affected by death, injury and the loss of property. This situation calls on all of us to pull together as a country to reach out to affected communities and to help alleviate their hardship.”
The President has welcomed the response of provincial authorities and national agencies to the calamity, as well as the support and goodwill – material and otherwise – provided by various sectors of civil society.
President Ramaphosa has undertaken to visit some of the affected areas following his return from Egypt, as part of reaching out to communities and assessing recovery efforts.
The President has reiterated the call made by government for community members to avoid crossing low-lying bridges, streams and rivers; and for motorists to exercise caution and avoid driving in flooded areas.
In the event of an emergency, members of the public should call the emergency management services on 10177.
Weather SA has urged the public to regularly follow weather forecasts on television and radio. Updated information can also be found at www.weathersa.co.za
Media enquiries:
Khusela Diko
Spokesperson to the President
Cell: 072 854 5707
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