SA floods 'a force of nature' - Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa says climate change might be at the centre of the unrelenting storms that have swept across parts of the country.
Ramaphosa was addressing the media in Amanzimtoti, south of Durban, where the road caved in following heavy downpours.
"The force of nature is so huge and that is partly what climate change is about - that it just hits when we least expect it."
The president returned from crisis talks in Egypt on the situations in Libya and Sudan to assess the widespread destruction.
Heavy rains have lashed South Africa in recent days, with the southern and eastern parts of the country badly hit since last weekend.
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At least 54 people have been killed in floods in South Africa while rescue workers continue combing through the rubble for those who might be trapped underneath landslides.
Among those killed were a six-month-old baby and a child aged around 10.
Ramaphosa sent his condolences to the families of those affected and vowed that government would assist where necessary.
"And obviously government at all levels is giving as much assistance as we possibly can, particularly those who are displaced. There are more than 1000 people now who have been displaced and I have been very pleased to hear that our local government, our provincial government and national departments, police and cooperative governance and ministry who all joined hands to provide shelter for those who are displaced."
"It will take time but the South African government at all its levels will be there to give assistance to all our people."
Ramaphosa says he will visit other parts of the country, including the Eastern Cape and Free State, which have also been hit by severe rainfall.
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