Severe Flooding in Eastern Cape Claims Lives and Drives Displacement

Rescue efforts are ongoing after heavy rains lead to tragic fatalities and widespread displacement in Eastern Cape. President Ramaphosa calls for caution as communities recover from this disaster.

As torrential rains and heavy snow impact South Africa's Eastern Cape province, floods have resulted in at least 49 fatalities, including several schoolchildren. The disaster has compelled provincial premier Oscar Mabuyane to highlight the escalating death toll, which could worsen as rescue teams search for additional victims. Among the deceased were four children, along with a bus driver and conductor who drowned when their vehicle was swept away at a bridge in Mthatha on Tuesday morning.

Rescue operations are actively underway, as authorities attempt to locate four missing children who were on the bus, now discovered abandoned on a riverbank. According to reports by Newzroom Afrika, eight bodies had previously been recovered, including the bus driver’s. Happy news emerged with the safe rescue of three young children, found clinging to trees amidst the flood waters. The bus was carrying 13 passengers, mostly schoolchildren.

On Wednesday morning, Mabuyane visited affected areas, including the village of Decoligny, and witnessed the pressing need for assistance among displaced residents, many of whom spent the night in makeshift shelters. The floods have devastated local education, affecting 58 schools across three districts: OR Tambo, Amathole, and Alfred Nzo. "For all these years that I've lived, I've never seen something like this," Mabuyane remarked.

In neighboring KwaZulu-Natal, 68 schools across nine districts experienced damage; however, there have been no reported fatalities there. Increased bad weather conditions have left nearly 500,000 homes without electricity, as state-owned power provider Eskom works to restore power.

President Cyril Ramaphosa extended his condolences to grieving families, urging citizens to remain vigilant as winter weather challenges continue across the nation. The Eastern Cape, the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, faces the harshest impacts of this unsettled climate, with major road closures enacted to prevent further accidents.