Rush to assist families in storm-hit Port Shepstone

On Tuesday, gale-force winds downed trees and power lines in some parts of KZN, while heavy downpours and snowfall battered other areas.

Thabiso Jingela, the councillor for Ward 24 under the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, has been speaking about the severe damage in his area.

He says some families, who've been left without a roof over their heads, have been taken in by their neighbours.

Jingela says he's submitted a list of the affected homes to the municipality for assistance.

"In my ward, there are many families that have been affected, but I managed to work with 43 families with the help of my ward committee. We are busy working around Ward 24, seeing the families and seeing how we are going to help them. Some of the houses are very damaged. Some people don't have a place to stay, it's very sad."

He says authorities have been assessing the damage.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Cape, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit some of the flood-devastated communities, including Mthatha, this morning. At least 78 people have died after days of heavy rain earlier this week.

Rescue teams are still searching for those missing.

Among the dead are schoolchildren who were travelling in a minibus taxi when it was swept away by floodwater.

The bodies of six of the children have been found, while four are still missing.

Three of the pupils managed to survive.

Speaking in Cape Town on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said the national government is discussing ways in which it could provide support to the Eastern Cape.

Clean-up and recovery efforts continue in various parts of the province.