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On behalf of the Ministry, Department of Home Affairs and myself, I would like to express our deep concern and sympathy for our people, in different parts of the country, who fell victim to flooding, fire and storms. We are and will continue to do all in our power to assist them in whatever way possible for them to return to their normal lives.

Work is being done in support of those affected, some of whom are worried about being able to cast their votes next week under the present conditions; we are ready to assist also in this matter in the interest of all our people.

In the Western Cape almost 10,000 people were affected by flooding in Langa and Philippi. We visited Masiphumelele community this morning (28 July).

Reports we have received are that 50 homes and around 280 people were affected by flooding. At the NY 63 Hostel, in Gugulethu, three homes were destroyed by fire, with more than 55 people displaced. It was still unclear what caused the fire.

In Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, in Gauteng, there were heavy storms and a tornado which destroyed extensively homes and other property, leaving some of the residents without homes or shelter.

And also in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, people experienced floods in the Ethekwini Metro. During this flooding, a total of 6 people lost their lives and a great number of families lost their homes and belongings.

Due to the fact that a number of homes were flooded and destroyed by fire, some citizens were left without identity documents. Some refugees are reported to have also lost their documents.

In response to the crisis, the Department of Home Affairs today (28 July 2016) waived all the fees applicable for all the people who were affected by the fires, storms and floods, so that they could be provided speedily with enabling documents that were lost and destroyed.

Additional Home Affairs services will therefore be rendered at selected points to assist the people. Interventions and venues for these services are in place with some still to be determined following investigations and recommendations from Home Affairs Provincial Managers, as informed by the situation in their various provinces.

In the Western Cape, services can be accessed at the following venues, free of charge:

• Saturday, 30 July 2016, from 08h00: a Home Affairs Mobile Unit will be deployed at the Langa Municipal Building (Behind the Langa Police Station)
• Sunday, 31 July 2016, from 08h00: a Home Affairs Mobile unit will be deployed at the corner of NY 63 and NY 1 in Gugulethu
• From Monday, 1 August 2016 those victims from the Phillipi area, will be assisted at the Home Affairs office in Nyanga.

Our services in Gauteng, in Tembisa, can be accessed at:

Tswelopele Extension 5, Corner Madiba Drive and R562 in Winnie Mandela Park. (Already we have deployed 5 Home Affairs officials there together with the manager for the office in Kempton Park).

Regarding the KwaZulu-Natal Province, further details are to follow. In the meantime, we have deployed 10 Home Affairs officials to assist, with 2 Mobile trucks and 4 vehicles.

Services to be offered to those affected are as follows:

• Temporary Identity Cards (Photos will also be free)
• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Certificates
• Smart ID Cards (Only done at the nearest office).

All Smart ID Cards will be done at the nearest offices. A list of the names of the affected people will accompany the submission to the nearest offices. All affected people, who choose not to receive services at the trucks, are encouraged to go to their nearest offices where a list with their names will be available. The services will then be rendered at those particular offices.

This outreach by the Department will not only allow those affected to immediately access social services, but they would now also be able to cast their vote for the municipal elections of 3 August 2016.

We welcome the humanitarian relief, in the form of blankets, hot meals vanity packs and baby packs already extended by various non-profit organisations and encourage others to do likewise, according to their ability. As a caring department and country we will do all in our power to assist the affected citizens, refugees and all affected people who are in the country.

Issued by Department of Home Affairs