The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) expresses its deepest solidarity with all communities, workers, and families affected by the devastating floods that have once again caused immense loss of life, displacement, destruction of homes, and damage to critical infrastructure. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and stand in unity with those who have lost everything.
As further heavy rainfall and severe weather warnings are issued, we are gravely concerned about the immediate and escalating risks to human life, particularly for working-class communities, informal settlements, rural areas, and low-lying regions that remain the most vulnerable.
These recurring disasters expose not only the cruelty of climate change, but also the consequences of deep inequality, weak disaster preparedness, crumbling infrastructure, and failures in spatial planning and service delivery.
SAFTU urgently calls on all spheres of government to act decisively and without delay to save lives and prevent further tragedy.
This must include:
• Immediate emergency interventions to evacuate at-risk communities, provide safe shelter, food, clean water, healthcare, and psychosocial support.
• Rapid deployment of disaster management, rescue, and relief services, with proper coordination between national, provincial, and local authorities.
• Clear, accessible public communication and early-warning systems, especially in working-class and rural communities.
• Protection of workers involved in emergency response, essential services, and clean-up operations, including proper safety equipment and fair working conditions.
• Urgent repairs and reinforcement of critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, storm-water systems, electricity, schools, clinics, and housing.
We further insist that government move beyond reactive measures. These floods are not “natural accidents” alone, they are intensified by climate injustice, austerity-driven underinvestment in public infrastructure, poor urban planning, and the neglect of vulnerable communities.
SAFTU reiterates its call for a climate-resilient, people-centred development path, with massive public investment in housing, infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and local government capacity.
The lives of working-class people must never be treated as expendable. Preventable deaths are a moral and political failure.
SAFTU stands ready to work with communities, unions, civil society, and progressive forces to support relief efforts and to fight for a just recovery that puts people before profits.
An injury to one is an injury to all.
People’s lives must come first.
A statement was issued on behalf of the SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
For media inquiries contact the National Spokesperson at:
Newton Masuku
newtonn@saftu.org.za
0661682157
Media Officer
Asive Dyani
0719019564
