Human Settlements Dept dismisses claims that aid to EC flood victims being looted

JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Human Settlements has dismissed claims that aid for flood victims in the Eastern Cape is being looted, insisting relief is reaching those most in need.

Last week’s torrential rains left at least 90 people dead and displaced over 3,000 residents across the province.

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Minister Thembi Simelane is the latest official to visit Mthatha, the hardest-hit region, to assess the damage and oversee plans to rehouse those left homeless.

A tale as old as time, looting and mismanagement at ground level. But Simelane was quick to shoot down those claims on day one of her three-day visit.

When pressed on reports of stolen aid, she said that teams on the ground were conducting daily stock counts and providing consistent feedback on relief distribution.

She added that neither her department nor the provincial government had received any formal complaints and that if the supply seemed insufficient, poverty and desperation may be driving perceptions of looting.

"As technical teams, we meet first thing in the morning. I would assume maybe it is the community, out of desperation and poverty. Possibly, what we are allocating is not sufficient."

Search and recovery operations continue across affected communities, with the province to mark a day of mourning on Thursday to honour the dead.