EC Premier Mabuyane takes a month’s leave
The Premier of the Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane, has appointed Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko as acting premier.
Mabuyane, who was unable to attend the memorial service held for than 90 victims of the recent floods, will take a month off work to attend to family matters.
In the letter circulated on social media, Mabuyane’s office says he will be attending “family commitments” from 20 June until 23 July.
“The provincial government assures the people of the province of continued leadership and stability during this period,” wrote spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie.
READ:Eastern Cape mourns flood victims
The Eastern Cape has been the centre of attention after torrential rains wreaked havoc, resulting in localised flooding and the destruction of homes and infrastructure.
The OR Tambo district municipality was the worst-affected area.
The death toll from the adverse conditions still stands at 92; however, authorities have repeatedly warned that the figure may increase as more families search for their missing loved ones.
Speaking at the provincial day of mourning event in his capacity as acting premier, Mvoko revealed that more than 4,000 people were displaced by the floods.
“More than 4,200 households have been destroyed. A number of schools have been damaged. More than 400 schools, with more than 1,500 classrooms damaged, and the number of affected learners in those schools is more than 400,000. We have not listed damaged roads, bridges, hospitals, and water infrastructure. For now, we estimate the damage to be around R4 billion.”
Mvoko cautioned against using the devastating floods in the province as a get-rich-quick scheme, following reports of threats against the non-profit group Gift of the Givers.
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