Zuko Komisa
The devastating floods sweeping through the Eastern Cape have claimed at least 88 lives, as search and rescue operations intensified across the province on Sunday.
Authorities warn that the death toll is likely to rise further, with ongoing searches for missing individuals.
Recovery efforts were concentrated in Mthatha, where a body was retrieved from the Mthatha Dam early on Sunday morning. Search teams, including those from the humanitarian organization Gift of the Givers, are focusing their efforts along the Mthatha River, hoping to cover a significant stretch to bring closure to grieving families.
Ahmed Bham, Head of Search and Rescue for Gift of the Givers, confirmed the shift in focus to body recovery as the water levels gradually recede.
The widespread destruction has displaced thousands of residents, leaving a trail of damage to critical infrastructure. Hundreds of schools and over 20 health facilities have sustained significant damage in the wake of the severe storm.
At the Mthatha mortuary, family members have begun the somber task of identifying their loved ones, a poignant reminder of the human cost of this natural disaster.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the loss of lives and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, affected communities and Eastern Cape residents at large.
President @CyrilRamaphosa on an inspection on loco at the Efata Bridge in Mthata, where a bus scholar transport was tragically swept away due to the flooding impacted by severe weather conditions alongside members of the National Disaster Management Team coordinating the… pic.twitter.com/gOwji2vqPu
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) June 13, 2025
Gift of the Givers launched a large-scale emergency response immediately after the floods hit, providing crucial humanitarian aid and assisting in the search operations.
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