By Dylan Bettencourt
- Water mafia linked to municipal service providers threatened Gift of the Givers workers giving free water to Eastern Cape flood victims.
- National disaster declared after storms killed 90 people in Eastern Cape and left over 2,600 homeless across four provinces since 9 June.
Criminals are targeting flood victims and the heroes trying to help them as South Africa battles its worst weather disaster in years.
A national state of disaster was declared on Wednesday after devastating storms killed 90 people in the Eastern Cape and left thousands homeless across four provinces.
But while communities struggle to survive, a “water mafia” is making things worse by threatening aid workers trying to distribute clean water to flood victims.
Gift of the Givers staff were confronted by criminals on Saturday in Mthatha while they were handing out free water to desperate families.
The criminals told the humanitarian workers to stop their relief operations immediately.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu condemned the threats as “an attack on the very principle of ubuntu”.
“Gift of the Givers has consistently been a source of hope and dignity to South Africans in their hour of need. Any attack on them is an attack on the very principle of ubuntu,” Mchunu said.
Gift of the Givers spokesperson Ali Sablay said the threats came from the so-called water mafia.
“While our teams were busy distributing water, they received a threat from one of the service providers to the OR Tambo District Municipality. They were concerned that Gift of the Givers was giving water to the communities free of charge,” Sablay said.
The criminals are allegedly connected to service providers contracted by the municipality.
Mchunu warned that law enforcement would take decisive action against those trying to profit from the disaster.
The threats against aid workers are just one example of criminals targeting flood victims.
Mchunu revealed that police have been made aware of individuals targeting the homes of people who died in the floods to steal from them.
Police have been deployed to protect the property of the deceased.
The OR Tambo District Municipality said they were shocked at the threats against Gift of the Givers.
“When the disaster struck, families stood ankle-deep in sorrow, the Gift of the Givers did not wait to be called; they came bearing food, water and dignity,” the municipality said.
“To learn that such humanity was met with criminal opportunism is not only heartbreaking, but utterly disgusting.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs declared a national disaster following weeks of severe weather since 9 June.
The Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal were hardest hit by storms that brought damaging winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and snowfall.
In the Eastern Cape alone, 90 people have died and over 2,600 residents were left homeless.
In KwaZulu-Natal, 140 households were hit by storms and flooding. About 58 homes were destroyed and 137 others partially damaged.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said this is becoming a new reality for South Africa, with both provinces experiencing recurring annual disasters.
Pictured above: Gift of the Givers in Mthatha.
Image source: Gift of the Givers
