EC govt recognises deficit of more than R800m to restore flood-damaged roads
Nearly 50 roads remain closed or unusable, three weeks after deadly floods swept through the province, cutting off communities and delaying aid.
Severe flooding hit parts of the Eastern Cape on the weekend of 1 and 2 June 2024. Picture: Gift of the Givers/Facebook
MTHATHA - The Eastern Cape government is facing a massive road infrastructure crisis, with a deficit of over R800 million to repair flood-damaged routes in the OR Tambo and Chris Hani districts.
Nearly 50 roads remain closed or unusable, three weeks after deadly floods swept through the province, cutting off communities and delaying aid.
The death toll from the floods remains at 101, with a 12-month-old baby named as the youngest victim.
The government says it’s reprioritised funds to start emergency repairs, but admits that the full cost of restoration exceeds what’s currently available.
Some communities remain stranded, with mud, rubble and collapsed bridges still blocking primary access routes.
In the Chris Hani District Municipality alone, 29 roads remain inaccessible, and a further 22 are closed in OR Tambo.
Repair teams are on site, but the government admits the work is far from done.
So far, just over R100 million has been shifted from the Department of Transport to start repairs; however, this leaves a gap of R832 million that officials say must be covered by the national government.
The provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC, Zolile Williams, explained: “The impact of the floods caused significant damage to roads, schools, healthcare facilities, livestock.”
With alternate routes stretched and emergency services struggling to move freely, residents feel abandoned and worry they’ll be cut off for weeks to come.