Deaths in Eastern Cape floods climb to 78

Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa confirmed that the bodies of more victims have been recovered during an interview with SABC News on Thursday night.

"I can confirm [that] the figure has gone to 78 now. This means we are in a crisis [and] a real disaster besides the floods."

This week, heavy rains wreaked havoc in areas mainly in and around the OR Tambo and Amathole district municipalities, leaving around 10,000 people homeless.

President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that he would visit and meet with the flood-affected communities on Friday.

"I will be going there to go and see exactly how our people are suffering, how we can console the families, and how we can come up with assistance measures from a disaster point of view to give real support to those who have suffered [losses]."

Meanwhile, the Public Servants Association says it is extremely concerned about the impact of the disaster.

More than 60 people lost their lives in Mthatha.

The PSA's Claude Naiker says there is an urgent need for long-term investment in resilient infrastructure.

"We call on all spheres of government to deploy emergency services and humanitarian relief without delay. [They need to] restore access to essential services such as clinics, schools and government offices and protect the safety and well-being of all frontline public servants and affected communities.

"Urgent infrastructure assessment should be conducted."