June 12, 2025: The heart of Mthatha is heavy as the Eastern Cape reels from catastrophic floods, with the death toll now tragically standing at 57, Cape town Etc reports. This increase in fatalities underscores the devastation that has unfolded as rescue operations continue across the region, seeking not only survivors but also assessing the full scale of the destruction. The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Cogta minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa, delivered the sombre update during a site assessment in the affected areas. In an emotional address to Newzroom Afrika, Hlabisa expressed profound sorrow, stating, This is very sad to witness 57 people who are now reported in terms of the report we received this morning. Fifty-seven is not just a figure. These are human bodies, some of whom were breadwinners and some of whom were the only children in their families. The floods, which have wreaked havoc across the region, have left a trail of destruction, displacing families and wiping out entire livelihoods.Minister Hlabisa emphasised the impact of these losses, recognising that beyond the numerical count, every victim represented a life touched by tragedy. Now we said we must be a government that is present to people. That is why we decided to come down from yesterday to be here today and tomorrow, he added.
As the rescue teams valiantly work around the clock, the government is mobilising resources to provide immediate assistance to the communities affected. Minister Hlabisa assured the public that efforts are underway to visit bereaved families to offer support during this incredibly challenging time.
The thing that we are going to do is to visit those families. We can be able to visit, but also to ensure that we visit the areas that were affected because, as Cogta, we need to intervene under disaster grants allocation, he explained.
June 11, 2025: The death toll from flooding in eastern parts of South Africa has risen to 49, including four children on a school bus that was swept away, a provincial governor said on Wednesday. Heavy rainfall, snow and cold winds have particularly affected areas of the Eastern Cape province, with most of the country experiencing brutal winter weather conditions since last week. As of now, the stats have escalated to 49 deaths, Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane told reporters, citing police figures. The dead included four children on a school minibus carrying 13 people that was swept away by a flood near the city of Mthatha. Sadly, four of those learners have been confirmed to be deceased, together with the driver and the conductor of the minibus taxi, he said. Four learners are still missing and are still being looked for.
Three others had been found alive, he said.
Mabuyane did not give details of the other victims of the severe winter storm and said the situation was evolving.
As the rescue teams valiantly work around the clock, the government is mobilising resources to provide immediate assistance to the communities affected. Minister Hlabisa assured the public that efforts are underway to visit bereaved families to offer support during this incredibly challenging time.
The thing that we are going to do is to visit those families. We can be able to visit, but also to ensure that we visit the areas that were affected because, as Cogta, we need to intervene under disaster grants allocation, he explained.
June 11, 2025: The death toll from flooding in eastern parts of South Africa has risen to 49, including four children on a school bus that was swept away, a provincial governor said on Wednesday. Heavy rainfall, snow and cold winds have particularly affected areas of the Eastern Cape province, with most of the country experiencing brutal winter weather conditions since last week. As of now, the stats have escalated to 49 deaths, Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane told reporters, citing police figures. The dead included four children on a school minibus carrying 13 people that was swept away by a flood near the city of Mthatha. Sadly, four of those learners have been confirmed to be deceased, together with the driver and the conductor of the minibus taxi, he said. Four learners are still missing and are still being looked for.
Three others had been found alive, he said.
Mabuyane did not give details of the other victims of the severe winter storm and said the situation was evolving.