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[File Image]: Floods during heavy rain.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa says a National Day of Mourning has been declared for the 19th of June, for people who died in the Eastern Cape floods.
The devastating floods following heavy rains have left thousands homeless and infrastructure damaged. President Cyril Ramaphosa, some Cabinet ministers and humanitarian organisations visited the flood affected areas on Friday to assess the damage.
Hlabisa says the death toll is currently at 78 and is expected to rise, as the search for more bodies and the identification process of the deceased is still underway.
“In terms of the latest confirmed number, we are still standing at 78 and we are yet to know if there any changes. There are some members of families who are still missing and the search and rescue is still on the ground and the opportunities are they are still going to discover these bodies. I’m from next week we should be talking about how to lay these people to rest in a respectful manner as the premier has declared a day of mourning on Thursday and hopefully over the weekend families will want to lay their loved ones to rest.”
Ramaphosa says govt will investigate cause of flooding in Mthatha
