Gauteng govt unable to provide an update on Andile Mngwevu

The Gauteng government has been unable to provide an update on the case of the missing Ekurhuleni City official, Andile Mngwevu.

On Tuesday, provincial government officials visited Mngwevu's family in Springs, on the East Rand.

The search for Mngwevu, the current MMC for Roads and Transport in Ekurhuleni, enters its fourth day after he was reported missing in Mozambique.

It's understood that Mngwevu was on a personal trip in Mozambique with friends when the vehicle they were travelling in was allegedly caught in fast-moving floodwaters in the Chokwé region, in the southern parts of the country.

The Ekurhuleni mayoral committee member was allegedly reported missing on Friday evening.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployed several teams to Mozambique to assist with the search, after the country was battered with torrential rains leading to widespread flooding.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi explained: "We remain highly hopeful that we will be in a position to make a breakthrough and get the information that will assist us to understand where everyone is, what happened, and what needs to be done so we can come and convey that to the family. "

Lesufi said Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) officials are in constant communication with the family.

Meanwhile, Mozambican authorities are working with a flood survivor to establish further details relating to Mngwevu.

On Tuesday, Lesufi confirmed one person is believed to have survived.

"What we know is that there were five passengers in the car and they were confronted by these floods," the premier said.

"On the basis of this information, we activated our diplomatic links and the last information that was provided to us was that indeed there was somebody who is believed to be a survivor that they’re communicating with."

Lesufi added that Mozambican officials, together with the assistance of SANDF search-and-rescue personnel, have questioned the survivor.

"They are getting the relevant information so they know where to search and what to search for," Lesufi added.

"So until the team that is there now gives us updated information, we’re not in a position to give you something that will align to your questions."