CAPE TOWN - All schools in the Western Cape will remain closed on Tuesday.
Initially, 122 schools were closed in the Cape Winelands and 11 in the Eden and Central Karoo areas.
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The increased severity of the rainfall later resulted in a further 227 schools across the province being closed.
Education MEC David Maynier says that, following advice from the province’s disaster management team, it was decided to close all schools in the province.
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The department will continue monitoring conditions to determine whether the closures need to be extended.
"Our default position is to keep all schools open," says Maynier.
"But in light of heavy storms, rains and flash floods, we have decided to close schools for today only," he added
Severe weather has affected schools in the country since January.
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In the north-eastern parts of Limpopo, the start of the academic year had to be delayed after heavy rains damaged roads, homes and school infrastructure across the Vhembe and Mopani districts.
Several people have also died as a result of heavy flooding in the affected areas. Over the past few weeks, floods have also affected the North West, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape.
The Western Cape Disaster Management Centre confirmed that five people died as a result of the overnight weather.
According to Disaster Management head Colin Deiner, some of the fatalities were the result of people attempting to cross rivers, as well as falling trees.
On the province’s roads, traffic had to be redirected after the N1 highway near Worcester was closed.
Trucks were diverted to the N7, with drivers advised to seek shelter.
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In the City of Cape Town, approximately 6,000 people, mostly living in informal settlements, have been affected by the weather, while emergency services remain on high alert.