Zuma visits fire victims

President Jacob Zuma

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma will visit the communities of Wit Lokasie and Knysna Heights in the Garden Route that have been adversely affected by the recent raging fires that caused total devastation, destruction of property, displacement of people and loss of life.

Presidential spokesman Bongani Ngqulunga said Zuma will conduct a walk about at Knysna Heights to inspect the extent of the damage as well as interact with the affected families. “He will also visit the community of Wit Lokasie in Knysna where he will again inspect the damage and interact with the families that were stricken by the disaster. The unprecedented devastation was visited on the residents of the Western Cape as a result of the severe weather and heavy storms that preceded the fires,” Ngqulunga said.

Early last week, Ngqulunga said, Zuma dispatched humanitarian and other support to all the affected areas, especially the poor communities. The supported was coordinated through the NATJOC Disaster Management, working with the Western Cape provincial government and provincial disaster management teams. Zuma is also scheduled to attend the funeral service of the late Mr Bradley Richard in Plettenburg Bay, one of the volunteers who died whilst assisting the firefighters.

“Yesterday, the Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) David van Rooyen, Minister of Tourism Thoko Xasa, Deputy Minister of Police Bongani Mkongi, Cogta Deputy Minister Obed Bapela and the Western Cape Premier Helen Zille visited the area. They brought relief and assistance as well as spoke to the firefighters.”

The President will be accompanied by the same delegation of ministers, deputy ministers and Zille.

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