The province has experienced severe flooding across several municipalities, with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre confirming that three district municipalities have been affected, including John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, and Frances Baard District Municipality.

Three lives have reportedly been lost as a result of the floods. 

“On behalf of the provincial government and the people of the Northern Cape, the premier, Dr Zamani Saul, extends his most heartfelt condolences to the Machogo, Baikedi, and Seitshokelo families who will be burying their loved ones this weekend in the Metswetsaneng village and Bushbuck in Camden. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families, as well as with the 85 villages in the Joe Morolong municipality that have been severely affected by the floods,” said Northern Cape provincial government media liaison, Naledi Gaosekwe.

On Sunday, the head of the National Disaster Management Centre, Dr Bongani Elias Sithole, officially classified the severe weather and heavy rainfall affecting several South African provinces as a national disaster.

The Northern Cape government reported extensive damage to public infrastructure across all three affected districts. This includes flooding in formal and informal settlements, the risk of household displacement, and damage to roads and bridges.

In some areas, communities have been partially or completely cut off from economic activity. Basic services have also been disrupted, including access to schools, clinics, and other essential social services.

The provincial government said it has adopted an intergovernmental approach in responding to the disaster across the province. Search and rescue operations, together with humanitarian relief efforts, are continuing in some local municipalities, said Gaosekwe.

“Provincial government is working closely with the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force. This morning, the South African National Defence Force deployed their chopper to provide humanitarian relief to communities that are water-locked.

“This classification will strengthen the coordinated intergovernmental response across all affected districts and enable standardised reporting and monitoring,” she said.

The South African Weather Service has issued a warning that parts of the province are expected to experience further severe weather conditions from Monday. The provincial government urged residents to remain vigilant and take all flood warnings seriously.

Community members have been advised to avoid crossing flooded roads or rivers and to move to safer areas where necessary.

“By working together, following safety instructions and reporting emergencies promptly, communities will help protect lives and reduce the impact of flooding during this dangerous period,” said Gaosekwe.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg

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