Ramaphosa blames climate change for 'catastrophic' floods

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa met yesterday with survivors of devastating floods that killed at least 78 people in the Eastern Cape, blaming the "catastrophic disaster" on climate change.

- 

Ramaphosa toured the disaster zone and met survivors in the region, where thousands of houses, roads, schools and health facilities were left caked in mud after being submerged in floodwaters, leaving many people with nothing in one of the poorest parts of the country.

Rescuers were going door to door searching for bodies or possible survivors, as people got stuck inside their homes when the water rushed in during the night. Some managed to escape to their roofs, where they waited long hours for help.

Ramaphosa visited the site where a school bus was swept away, killing at least six children and three adults. Four of the children were still missing.