Media Statement

O.R. Tambo District Municipality Expresses Condolences and Mobilises Response Following Severe Weather Events

The O.R. Tambo District Municipality extends its deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones following the severe weather conditions that have affected parts of our district.

Heavy rains, strong winds and flooding have severely impacted communities across the Ingquza Hill, Kumkani Mhlontlo, King Sabata Dalindyebo, Nyandeni, and Port St Johns Local Municipalities. Verified preliminary reports confirm two tragic fatalities:

Ward 12, Buhlanyanga (Ingquza Hill)

Ward 28, Matheko (King Sabata Dalindyebo)

“As Executive Mayor, I speak not only as a public representative, but as a member of this community. We are not untouched by this loss. These are our people. These are our families. We mourn with them.”

Preliminary Assessment of Damage

Initial reports indicate the following impacts across affected areas:

Several households left homeless or partially displaced

Damage to access roads, bridges, and other infrastructure

Electricity supply interruptions

Crop destruction and lightning-related livestock losses

Assessments are still ongoing across all affected wards in line with provincial disaster management protocols. Figures remain preliminary and may change as more reports are submitted and verified.

Disaster Response and Relief Coordination

Disaster management structures at the local municipal level were activated immediately. Satellite Centres have submitted early reports to the O.R. Tambo District Disaster Management Centre, which is coordinating a district-wide response.

Relief support is being prepared and mobilised, in collaboration with provincial and local stakeholders, to assist affected communities.

Planned interventions include:

Temporary shelter

Food parcels

Blankets and mattresses

Hygiene packs

Essential household items

“Let me assure the people of O.R. Tambo: your municipality is present. Your municipality is working. Your municipality will not turn away from any family in distress.”

Call for Vigilance and Community Solidarity

Residents are urged to:

Avoid flooded areas and unstable structures

Report emergencies through local municipal offices

Remain alert and assist vulnerable community members

“This moment tests us. It tests our systems, it tests our resilience, and it tests our unity. But O.R. Tambo has endured storms before. We rise not because challenges do not exist, but because we face them together.”

To every affected family:

We see you. We stand with you. We will walk this road of recovery with you.

We will respond.

We will support.

And together — we will rebuild.

 

Issued by:

The Executive Mayor

O.R. Tambo District