Mthatha, Eastern Cape – The death toll from the devastating floods in the Eastern Cape has risen to 57, with search and rescue teams still working to locate four missing learners swept away in a minibus taxi. The floods, which have caused widespread destruction in Mthatha and surrounding areas, have left hundreds homeless and severely damaged infrastructure, including 58 schools.
Government Responds to Crisis
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who visited the affected areas, described the situation as “one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to see.” She emphasized the urgent need for psychosocial support for grieving families and traumatized survivors, including children who narrowly escaped the floods.
“One child clung to a tree while her friend was swept away. These are scars that won’t heal quickly,” Minister Gwarube said, highlighting the emotional toll on survivors.
Schools and Exams Disrupted
The floods have severely impacted education, with 6,038 learners displaced and exams postponed. The minister stressed the need for rapid infrastructure repairs to ensure students can resume learning, particularly with critical exams pending.
“We must act swiftly—our exam timetable is tight, and delays have a knock-on effect,” she said, noting that contingency plans are being finalized.
Calls for Disaster Declaration
Officials are pushing for a formal disaster declaration to unlock emergency funding. Cooperative Governance Minister is expected to address the classification of flood-hit areas as disaster zones later today.
Scholar Transport Under Scrutiny
Questions have arisen about the safety of scholar transport after the minibus tragedy. The driver reportedly underestimated floodwaters, leading to the fatal incident. Minister Gwarube acknowledged gaps in road safety education but stressed that human error remains a challenge.
“We cannot future-proof every accident, but we can strengthen policies and ensure timely payments for transport operators,” she said.
President to Visit
President Cyril Ramaphosa will travel to the Eastern Cape tomorrow to assess the damage, following his address at the 2025 African Hydrogen Summit.
As recovery efforts continue, communities brace for more rain, with authorities urging caution. The full scale of the disaster—and its long-term impact—remains unfolding.
