MINISTER MOBILISES RELIEF EFFORTS IN FLOOD-STRICKEN OR TAMBO DISTRICT

By Precious Mupenzi.

• Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe and the leadership of the Department of Social Development are on the ground to fast-track decision-making and strengthen the coordination of disaster management efforts in areas battling in the wake of floods in the Eastern Cape.
• ⁠Nineteen South African Social Security Agency officials have been deployed across affected communities to oversee the delivery of humanitarian aid.
• Special arrangements are being made in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs to assist those who lost personal documents, ensuring the quick processing of death certificates and access to essential services.

The Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, visited the flood-stricken OR Tambo District in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, where more than 80 people have died and close to 3 000 people have been displaced.

Accompanied by the Eastern Cape’s MEC for Social Development, Bukiwe Fanta, and key officials from the national social development portfolio, Minister Tolashe’s visit follows that of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who assessed the damage earlier this month.

Included in the team were the CEO of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Themba Matlou, the CEO of the National Development Agency (NDA), Thabani Buthelezi, and the Director-General of the Department of Social Development, Peter Netshipale.

Minister Tolashe engaged with displaced families, received updates from local authorities, and inspected relief operations coordinated by the Department of Social Development and its partners.

She reiterated that the presence of the entire Department of Social Development’s leadership in the district was intended to fast-track decision-making and strengthen coordination.

“There will be no need for anyone to write letters to Pretoria. All decisions will be taken on the spot,” she said.

Nineteen SASSA officials have been deployed across affected communities to oversee the delivery of humanitarian aid, including hot meals, baby packs, sanitary towels, school uniforms, and hygiene kits.

SASSA is also extending Social Relief of Distress (SRD) support to bereaved families.

Special arrangements are being made in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs to assist those who lost personal documents, ensuring quick processing of death certificates and access to essential services.

Partner organisations such as Gift of the Givers and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are playing a vital role by providing logistics, water, and temporary supplies to ensure displaced families are housed with dignity and care.

Local churches and clergy have also committed to supporting the relief efforts.

Water supply remains a critical challenge in affected areas.

The minister acknowledged the urgency of this need and assured residents that partners were addressing it.

“Yes, families reported that water is still a challenge, and we are working with partner organisations as their processes are faster than the government supply chain processes can allow,” she explained.

Minister Tolashe also addressed concerns about the long-term future of displaced families.

“This is not a permanent solution. The Department of Human Settlements, through disaster management, is developing a plan to ensure families who have lost their homes are resettled appropriately,” she said.

A memorial service for those who lost their lives is scheduled for Thursday, 19 June 2025.

The minister extended her condolences to grieving families and emphasised that every effort was being made to locate individuals still unaccounted for. “Our divers and rescue teams are working under dangerous conditions to find every missing person so that all families can receive closure and bury their loved ones with dignity,” she said.

In addition to immediate relief, the department has committed to ensuring that school-going children affected by the disaster are supported with uniforms and learning materials, enabling them to return to school as soon as possible.

To ensure financial accountability, Minister Tolashe announced that internal audit committees have been brought on board from the outset to monitor expenditure and prevent any misuse of public funds.

“We do not want to repeat what happened during Covid-19 with fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Every rand must be accounted for,” she said.

Commending the Eastern Cape government, Minister Tolashe praised Premier Oscar Mabuyane and his cabinet for their swift and visible leadership.

“They were on the ground from the beginning.

“This is a provincial government that doesn’t just speak about caring for its people, you see them doing the work.”

The minister’s visit forms part of a broader effort by the government and its civil society partners to provide not only emergency relief but also strengthen disaster preparedness and long-term recovery planning in vulnerable communities facing recurring climate-related challenges.