Death Toll from Eastern Cape Floods Rises to 57

Zim Now Reporter

The death toll from the devastating floods in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province has climbed to 57, authorities confirmed Thursday, as rescue teams continued a harrowing search for the missing in and around the town of Mthatha.

Describing the scale of the disaster, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa called the situation “a real disaster and a catastrophe,” following his visit to the flood-hit region.

The floods, triggered by an extreme cold front that swept across eastern and southern parts of the country earlier this week, unleashed heavy rainfall, strong winds, and even snow in some areas. Forecasters had issued warnings in advance, but the intensity of the storm left parts of the province, one of South Africa’s poorest, reeling.

Search and rescue efforts entered a third day Thursday, with emergency teams combing through wreckage and waterways for survivors. Officials had initially reported 49 deaths on Wednesday but warned that the toll was likely to increase as more bodies were recovered.

Among those swept away were four high school students whose bus was caught in the rising waters near a river on Tuesday. Six students on the bus were confirmed dead, while three others survived by clinging to trees and calling for help, provincial authorities said.

Provincial officials confirmed that people are still missing, though they have not provided an exact figure. Efforts are underway to work with affected families to identify those unaccounted for.

Witnesses described scenes of desperation, with some people seeking refuge on rooftops or climbing trees to escape the floodwaters. Rescue teams were seen retrieving bodies from the water in blue body bags.

The town of Mthatha and surrounding communities, located approximately 430 kilometers (267 miles) south of the coastal city of Durban, bore the brunt of the disaster. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said at least 58 schools and 20 hospitals were damaged, and hundreds of families were left homeless as their homes were submerged or swept away.

Vital infrastructure has also been crippled, with roads and bridges destroyed or rendered impassable. “This is one of the worst weather-related disasters we have ever faced as a province,” said Mabuyane.

In response, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the activation of the National Disaster Management Center to support local authorities. He is expected to visit the affected areas on Friday to assess the damage firsthand.