Zuma and Zille side by side in ravaged Knysna

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma and Western Cape Premier Helen Zille yesterday interacted with Knysna residents affected by devastating fires last week.

About 10 000 people were evacuated as fires destroyed homes and claimed the lives of several people.

On Wednesday, the Western Cape cabinet announced it would direct R75-million to address the damage in Knysna and surrounding areas.

Standing on a hill in Knysna Heights yesterday, Zuma described the scene as the “worst disaster I have ever experienced”.

He was then accompanied to devastated White Location by Zille‚ DA provincial leader Bonginkosi Madikizela‚ cooperative governance minister Des van Rooyen and other officials.

Asked about making an appearance with Zuma‚ Zille said that beyond politics “South Africans come together at the best times and at the worst times‚ such as this”. — Aron Hyman