Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane says her department is in the process of assessing land for the relocation of families displaced by floods in Mthatha.

Simelane began her three-day visit to the Eastern Cape yesterday, where devastating floods have claimed the lives of at least 90 people and left thousands displaced.

Mthatha, which is the worst-affected area in the province, has been declared a disaster zone.

Simelane says finding the appropriate space for temporary housing units has been challenging.

“Land parcels are not available from government. We are still checking the registry of national public works. So far, we have got two private lands, not yet assessed, but we will put temporary residential units. Our NHBRC is on the ground helping us to assess the buildings which were partially damaged so that we, on the policy phase, could issue a grant of upper R12 000 per family so that they can get building material,” she says.

#MthathaFloods

[WATCH]

In the aftermath of the devastation. There is nothing left of these houses. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/n3TbIFfk9A

— Chriselda Zozi Lewis (Babes Wendaba) (@Chriseldalewis) June 18, 2025