Khumo Makame
The Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr. Zamani Saul, welcomes the classification of a National Disaster by the Head of the National Disaster Management Center, Dr. Bongani Eilas Sithole, following heavy rainfall across the country.
The Northern Cape experienced heavy rainfall between 24 and 30 April 2026, affecting John Taolo Gaetsewe, ZF Mgcawu, and Frances Baard districts, highlighting the widespread impact.
Eighty-five villages in Joe Morolong Municipality were impacted, three lives were lost due to drowning and have already been buried.
The emergency services recovered three male bodies of 54-year-old Oduetswe Seichokelo from Camden village, Karabo Machongo, 22, and Lesego Baikedi, 44, who were found between 3 and 4 May in Metswetsaneng village near Mothibistad after drowning while allegedly attempting to cross a flooded bridge.
On behalf of the Provincial Government and the people of the Northern Cape, the Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, extended his most heartfelt condolences to the three families.
The Provincial Disaster Management Center has reported extensive damage to public infrastructure across all three districts, including flooding of formal and informal settlements, increased the risk of household displacement and damage to roads and bridges, resulting in some areas and communities being partially or completely cut off from economic activity.
Basic services have also been disrupted, including access to schools, clinics and other essential social services.
The Provincial Government has adopted an intergovernmental approach in responding to the disaster across the province, with search and rescue operations and humanitarian relief efforts continuing in some local municipalities.
The Northern Cape is working closely with the South African Police Service and the South African National Defense Force, resulting in the deployment of a SANDF helicopter to provide humanitarian relief to waterlocked communities.
Gift of the Givers teams assisted approximately 2000 households with Essential supplies, including food hampers, bottled water, blankets, sleeping mats and hygiene packs.
The disaster classification enhances coordinated response efforts across districts and ensures consistent reporting and monitoring for all stakeholders.
The declaration allows the use of extraordinary measures under the Act, enabling faster response, relief, and recovery efforts where needed most.
The Provincial Government further promises to strengthen the enforcement of by-laws, especially in rural areas where communities are allocated land in low-lying areas and along flood lines, to address land invasions in vulnerable areas.
The South African Weather Service has issued a warning that parts of the province will experience more severe weather and urges all community members to remain vigilant and to take every flood warning seriously.
Community members are requested to avoid crossing flooded roads or rivers and move to safer areas to protect their lives and reduce the impact of flooding during this dangerous period.
The Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, thanks communities, NGOs, emergency personnel, sector departments, Mayors, together with their teams in the different Municipalities and all partners who are working tirelessly to assist affected communities.
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