Nelson Mandela Bay caught sleeping, as death toll rises to four in flooding

By Johnathan Paoli

Four people have died following the floods in the Nelson Mandela Bay region. Eastern Cape cooperative governance spokesperson Pheelo Oliphant told Inside Politics that three people passed away following accidental exposure to live wires, while the fourth victim drowned.

A 76-year-old man woke up in his house submerged in water to knee level, and while lifting an object he touched a live wire.

Two women from Missionvale attempted to switch off the main power and similarly exposed themselves.

The last victim, a 35-year-old man attempted to cross a river and was subsequently swept away by the floods.

Oliphant said that both the local and provincial governments were currently assessing the situation in order to determine the impact of the damage.

He said the government was working with community-based organisations to house stranded community members, supplying toiletries, basic care products, blankets, non-perishable foods and other essential resources.

Oliphant confirmed that over 3000 people had been evacuated and accommodated in community halls within the region.