President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday visited South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, where a devastating winter storm and floods have claimed at least 78 lives, with search and recovery efforts still ongoing.
The torrential storm, which struck the largely rural and underdeveloped region on Monday night, left behind a trail of destruction — submerging thousands of homes, roads, schools, and health centres in thick mud and water.
Describing the floods as “unprecedented,” Ramaphosa visited several affected sites, including the location where a school bus was swept away, killing at least six children and three adults.
Rescue teams continued door-to-door searches through Thursday, looking for survivors or bodies trapped in flooded homes. Many residents were caught off guard as floodwaters surged in overnight. Some survivors managed to escape to their rooftops, where they waited for hours to be rescued.
Eastern Cape, like many parts of South Africa, often experiences snow and heavy rain during winter. But experts say climate change is worsening the severity and frequency of such weather events. The Green Climate Fund has flagged South Africa as particularly vulnerable to climate-related disasters.
Mthatha — about 800 kilometres south of Johannesburg — was the hardest-hit area, where mudslides and flooding overwhelmed infrastructure.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa confirmed the death toll had reached 78 by Thursday.
Relief efforts are underway, with the South African Red Cross Society reporting that at least 3,500 households have been impacted. Many displaced residents are now taking shelter in community halls.
Ali Sablay of the Gift of the Givers Foundation warned the number of people needing urgent assistance could rise sharply. “Many of the homes are fragile and at risk of collapsing. Food supplies have been contaminated. It’s critical that people are evacuated quickly,” he said.
Authorities also reported that 20 health facilities and 58 schools sustained varying degrees of damage in the floods.
