The South African army on Monday announced the deployment of 10,000 troops after catastrophic floods that killed 443 people, deprived tens of thousands of people of their homes and caused widespread destruction on the east coast.
The country was affected for a week by heavy rains which led to floods and deadly landslides.
Most of the victims were recorded in the region of Durban, a port city of 3.5 million inhabitants in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) open to the Indian Ocean.
Some 63 people are still missing.
"The South African military has been ordered to activate 10,000 troops as part of Operation Chariot
," she said in a statement, in support of "the disaster management effort." unprecedented.
The soldiers will intervene both in the search and rescue of victims, as well as in clean-up operations and the transport of equipment and humanitarian aid.
Nearly 4,000 houses were destroyed by the weather, more than 13,500 damaged.
Many hospitals and more than 550 schools have been affected, and areas still remain inaccessible due to cut roads and bridges.
Army plumbers and electricians will intervene in areas without water and electricity for a week.
The army also plans to distribute drinking water and set up water purification systems.
Tents will also be set up to provide emergency accommodation for those who are homeless.
The army will notably provide air support.
Troops with helicopters have already been present in recent days alongside police and rescue workers during emergency rescue operations.
Medical support may also be deployed with the provision of ambulances and additional medical personnel.
