Eastern Cape infrastructure damage repair bill estimated at R5.1bn – SABC News

The Eastern Cape government says the damage caused to infrastructure by the devastating floods that hit the province, amount to just over R5 billion.

Co-operative Governance MEC, Zolile Williams, gave an update on the floods in Mthatha on Thursday. He also confirmed that the death toll is now 101 while search and recovery teams continue with their operations.

Williams says OR Tambo and Amathole districts are the worst-hit areas with OR Tambo accounting for 77 deaths.

The recent floods caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, and healthcare facilities.

The agricultural sector has also suffered huge losses.

Provincial government described the floods as the most agonizing chapter in the history of the province.

Co-operative Governance MEC, Zolile Williams says, “The floods also caused significant damage to both economic and social infrastructure. The impact of the floods caused significant damage to roads, to schools, healthcare facilities, livestock, disrupted basic services such as water and electricity and houses were destroyed. Infrastructure damage assessment has been done and finalised. The cost of repairing the damaged infrastructure is estimated at R5,1 billion.”

There has been growing concern about government’s ability to ensure financial management during this time.

Williams promised that government will ensure those dealing with this matter are held to account.

“We are committed to ensuring financial accountability. it is our responsibility as the leadership collective of the province at both provincial and local governments to ensure transparency and accuracy in financial records and reporting. as we respond to the disaster that has befallen us, we must do so by adhering to regulations implementing robust internal controls and managing risks effectively.”

The Department of Education is also counting its losses, especially in the OR Tambo area.

Government says supplies of learner support material lost or destroyed during the floods have been delivered to the affected schools.

Education MEC Fundile Gade says school infrastructure has also been badly damaged.

“We have got 413 schools that were identified that would require an attention after the disaster. But upon the works inspectors making an assessment of the entire damage that has been caused, we picked up that no, it’s 235 in actual fact. Some were just added because that’s an opportunity for them to deal with repairs that they have not been doing for quite some time. We are looking at 235.”

A call has also been made to the private sector, NGOs, humanitarian organisations and the general public to continue supporting those affected by the floods.

Eastern Cape Floods | CoGTA MEC updates on humanitarian aid