Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers has confirmed that its volunteers delivering emergency water supplies to flood-stricken communities in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, have received threats linked to the so-called "Water Mafia."
The Water Mafia an informal network reportedly profiting from municipal water supply contracts is believed to be behind the intimidation, as they view external aid efforts as a threat to their operations.
This comes in the wake of devastating floods that claimed at least 90 lives last week, with dozens of homes destroyed and key infrastructure, including roads and bridges, severely damaged.
Gift of the Givers has continued its relief efforts despite the threats, working to ensure that residents cut off from clean water receive urgent supplies.
In response to the scale of the tragedy, President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a National Day of Remembrance to honour the lives lost in the recent natural disasters that have ravaged the Eastern Cape.