Issued by: Ministry for Welfare and Population Development
Welfare and Population Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi has welcomed the courageous and swift intervention by the Red Cross and the South African National Defence Force in rescuing and rendering assistance to snow victims - the heaviest snowfalls we have had in years.
This demonstrates the essence of multi-sectorial co-operation in practice, especially when it comes to life-threatening situations. Mrs Fraser-Moleketi has also noted the role played by the Natal Parks Board, the Air Force, the Mountain Club of the SANDF and medical teams who have helped to airlift 50 trapped hikers to safety from the Drakensberg Mountains and surrounding areas.
"It is our hope that the 48 people still unaccounted for, will soon be found. OUr heartfelt condolences go toe the families of the victims who have died due to bone-chilling temperatures, some from suffocation," said Minister Fraser-Moleketi.
Officials from the Disaster Relief section of the Department of Welfare and Population Development have been in contact with the Red Cross and other organisations in monitoring the situation in snow-hit areas with the intention to assist.
Issued by: Brian Sokutu, Ministry Spokesman Telephone number: (012) 328-4600 10 July 1996