ALMOST R2-BILLION REQUIRED FOR EC FLOOD RECOVERY HOUSING EFFORTS

• As the Eastern Cape moves into the next phase of dealing with the impact of devastating floods in June, the cost of addressing the subsequent housing crisis is being counted.
• The Eastern Cape provincial government has said that almost R2-billion is required to provide permanent and temporary housing solutions.
• ⁠While the OR Tambo and Amathole district municipalities bore the brunt of the impact, some parts of Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani District, Joe Gqabi, and Sarah Baartman municipalities were also affected.

As the Eastern Cape moves to the second phase of its intervention, the provincial government has announced that almost R2-billion is needed to address the housing crisis caused by last month’s devastating floods, which claimed 103 lives and displaced thousands.

According to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams, R461-million is required for the provision of Temporary Residential Units, while an estimated R1.7-billion is needed to deliver permanent housing solutions for affected communities.

The floods, which occurred between 9 and 10 June 2025, brought destruction across all corners of the province, with the OR Tambo and Amathole district municipalities bearing the brunt. Some parts of Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani District, Joe Gqabi, and Sarah Baartman municipalities were also affected.

The impact of the disaster included loss of lives, significant infrastructure damage, displaced families, livestock losses, learners missing examinations, disruption of basic services, such as water and electricity, and disrupted access to healthcare, among others.

The disaster, characterised by severe flooding, was officially classified as a national disaster, enabling all three spheres of government to respond in line with their sectoral mandates – under the guidance of the National Disaster Management Centre.

The Eastern Cape provincial government has announced that over R2.1-billion is needed to address the housing crisis caused by last month’s devastating floods.

Giving an update on the provincial disaster management response and recovery on Wednesday, Williams said R120-million has been reprioritised through the Department of Human Settlements to support the immediate rollout of Temporary Residential Units for the most vulnerable families.

However, he said the current funding only covers a portion of the need.

Of the 4 724 Temporary Residential Units required, only 1 230 are currently funded, and these include 350 for Amathole, 182 for Alfred Nzo, 34 for Buffalo City Metro, 11 for Chris Hani, 51 for Joe Gqabi, and 600 for OR Tambo.

“Government is working hard to address the budget shortfall, and we continue to mobilise our partners for support in this area. Mnquma Local Municipality has identified land at New Rest where 350 temporary residential units will be erected to accommodate victims of this disaster.

“Similarly, King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality has identified a piece of land at Maydene Farms for the construction of 345 Temporary Residential Units, with further efforts underway to identify additional suitable land parcels to expand this support and provide permanent human settlement solutions,” the MEC said.

While the government stands ready to start the construction of Temporary Residential Units, Williams acknowledged delays caused by community resistance to accommodate victims of floods in both municipalities, despite social facilitation efforts.

“It is regrettable that the municipality has had to resort to courts of law to seek recourse, whereas every citizen has a right to shelter, and the government is empowered to fulfil its obligation towards this right. In Mnquma Local Municipality, we have now started with site preparation, and we expect the erection of Temporary Residential Units to start over the weekend.

“In the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, we will continue with social facilitation to tackle these challenges, to the extent that it is necessary. This resistance poses a real threat to the timely rollout of the provincial government’s resettlement plan,” Williams said.

He urged all community members to allow government efforts to proceed uninterrupted, so that “homeless families can be relocated to safe, appropriate land without delay.”

“We must, in all that we do, ensure that families start rebuilding their lives and they do not, through our direct or indirect actions, suffer secondary trauma.”

First published in SAnews.gov.za on 17 July 2025