Eastern Cape Floods: President Ramaphosa Assesses Damaged Areas; Promises Smart City

President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the flood-affected area in the eastern cape on Tuesday to assess the damage done by the torrential rain.

The OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape witnessed heavy flooding last week, causing loss of life, displacement of communities, and damage to infrastructure, especially in Port St Johns, Ingquza Hill, Nyandeni and King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipalities.

President visited the area and enquired about the condition of local residents. During the visit, President Ramaphosa said that all the government departments have come together in order to help the flood victims.

"Government is doing everything in its power to restore all the roads damaged by the floods and to ensure that our people have shelter," the president said, SA news reported.

Ramaphosa went on to share that what happened in Eastern Cape has affected everyone in the country including the government. He continued, "As government, we are going to ensure that our people get the necessary help they need. We want investors to help us with the building of a Smart City here."

During the visit, the president was first welcomed by the senior provincial government officials and then he was briefed about the impact of the floods in the area.

President later walked on the R61 road to assess the damage. The R61 road, which is connected with Mthata and Port St Johns, was severely damaged.

The president also met South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd Head Office (SANRAL) officials, who explained to him the damage done by the floods and assured him that the repair work should start soon.

President Ramaphosa, who also visited the Port St John's Youth Centre, met the local residents.

"Our government is taking care of our people by building shelters and ensuring that they have food. Government is gearing into action to assist the affected communities," he said, revealing that the government has activated a Special Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management to ensure that affected people get support and relief.

The president was joined by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thembi Nkadimeng and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane during the visit.

A local resident Vuyolethu Goleni opened up about the president's visit and said that she was happy to see him coming all the way to check their conditions, saying that she is "confident that our roads are going to be repaired and those people who lost their houses will be assisted."

Another local resident named Israel Solani urged that the road should be repaired soon "as it makes it impossible to move freely to the other side as the remaining part is also not safe as it can collapse at any time."

Torrential rain caused flash flooding in Eastern Cape on March 23, resulting in the death of at least three people. Furthermore, it damaged private properties and public infrastructure.