Phiwokule Mothemela
President Cyril Ramaphosa was on a whistle-stop visit to Nelson Mandela Bay to meet residents who were hardest hit by floods in Kariega last week.
Eight people were confirmed dead while three are still missing following the devastating floods which also ravaged other parts of the Eastern Cape.
The President began his visit at the Kariega church hall where more than 100 residents from Ou Lapland were housed after being evacuated last weekend from a flood plain during the heavy rain.
They will be relocated from Friday to more comfortable student accommodation before moving again, in about 21 days, to temporary accommodation on land provided by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
President Ramaphosa also went on a brief walkabout before visiting the damaged Kariega fire station and went on an a tour of the VW plant in Kariega which also suffered damage in last week's floods.
Speaking to the media afterwards, President Ramaphosa described the situation as a "huge disaster."
Meanwhile, the Minister of Human Settlements, Mmaloko Kubayi, said the residents who took shelter in the church hall would be given temporary accommodation.
She said land has been identified and handed over to the Department for the relocation of the Ou Laplan residents.
The Minister said they also obtained a court order to prevent any possible land invasion.
"We are going to work together with the provincial government and the municipality to be able to relocate. So,
Meanwhile, Minister Kubayi said the Ou Lapland residents will be housed in student accommodation while authorities prepare the land for their relocation in an estimated 21 days time.
She said the residents will be bussed to their accommodation between Friday and Saturday.
