EC flooding: Mashatile vows govt 'will do everything in its power to assist'

CAPE TOWN - Deputy President Paul Mashatile has conveyed his condolences for the victims of the Eastern Cape floods that have so far claimed 57 lives, many of them school children trapped in a bus that was swept away by floodwaters. 

At the start of question time in the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon, Mashatile conveyed his sympathies to those who’ve lost relatives. 

“Let me, on behalf of the government, join those who’ve extended condolences to the families of the people affected by disasters in the Eastern Cape. Our hearts are with you. Government will do everything in its power to assist you. The president will be visiting the Eastern Cape on Thursday.”

In calling for a moment of prayer ahead of Thursday’s sitting, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza also reflected on the lives lost in the Eastern Cape. 

She also mentioned those who perished on board an Air India flight that crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad en route to London on Thursday, and those who lost their homes on the ground. 

“May we also remember the victims of the floods in our country, those who lost their lives, and those whose residences were affected by the floods.”

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