Eight people were reported missing in East London on Friday as heavy flooding continued to create havoc in the area and Port Elizabeth.
Disaster management head Inspector John Fobian said on Friday evening that the eight feared dead could still be alive and with relatives.
The floods have been a disaster for hundreds of families in East London and Port Elizabeth, particularly those living in shacks. Almost all their belongings were destroyed.
Fobian said relief in the form of food and shelter at schools and halls was being provided to the victims.
Meanwhile the management of East London’s Vincent Park Shopping Centre were optimistic on Friday that parts of the mall would re-open on Sunday following the freak flood which hit the city.
The centre’s manager Mandy Bellamy told Sapa the upper level of the complex could be trading by Sunday, while the lower level was expected to be back to normal from Monday.
Bellamy said Old Mutual Properties, the landlord of the complex, was already assessing the damage, while tenants were also doing likewise in their individual stores.
”Given the extent of the mopping up, shopfitting and restocking required, some will only be able to re-open later,” she said.
Bellamy rejected reports of looting saying that the floods were first noticed around 1am on Friday while most shops were locked. The absence of power and the heavy presence of security personnel would have made it difficult for criminals to take advantage.
Bellamy said the flooding was first reported by a security guard who spotted the water pouring into the lower mall.
Although the flood ranked among the most destructive experienced in the area, it had not caused major damage.
”This is not the first time that floods have affected this part of East London. Old Mutual Properties has ensured that engineering requirements have been stepped up over the years.
”After the March 2001 flooding, the municipality built a huge storm water drain on the Surrey Road side of the property. This year, more drains were built in Frere Road,” Bellamy said.
According to the manager, shop fronts were destroyed, goods from one store ended up in another at the other end of the complex, while fittings and counters that took 10 men to move were hurled into the air. – Sapa