PRETORIA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tropical storm Eloise which has been affecting South Africa since last weekend has claimed at least two lives, displaced more than 200 others, destroyed infrastructure and left many homeless, said government officials on Tuesday.
"A five-year-old boy was swept while trying to cross a river but there was heavy current," Sam Ngubane, head of Mpumalanga Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) said at a press conference.
"A total of 60 houses were partly destroyed in Bushbuckridge and another 14 from different parts of the province," he said, adding that two people are still missing and the police are searching for them.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Sipho Hlomuka said the rains destroyed roads and homes.
"We have one fatality in AbaQulusi municipality which happened last night (Monday), a 14-year-old boy who drowned. A total of 110 houses were partly destroyed in Umkhanyakude. We have provided food parcels, blankets, sponges and mattresses. A total of seven houses were completely destroyed in uPhongolo. We have accommodated people in our community halls."
Limpopo Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Basikopo Makamu said the rains destroyed roads and bridges with a total of 78 families displaced.
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said the rains destroyed government buildings, distracted traffic when trees fell on the roads.
She said they are assessing the damages caused by the rains and helping affected families. Enditem