National government officials arrived in the Eastern Cape on Thursday to assess the destruction left in the wake of this week’s catastrophic floods, which have claimed the lives of 49 people and displaced thousands more.
Heavy rains and gale-force winds swept through parts of the province, including Mthatha, on Tuesday. Among the dead are 13 schoolchildren, their bus driver, and two passengers who perished when a school transport vehicle was washed away near the Dikolini River.
At least 2,000 residents have been left homeless as the region grapples with the aftermath of one of the most severe weather disasters in recent memory.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube expressed deep concern over the four children still missing and emphasized the importance of providing emotional support to those affected.
“We’ll be visiting the families of the learners who tragically lost their lives. I’m also encouraged by the psychosocial support being rolled out to survivors, affected learners, and educators. This is an unimaginable tragedy, and our role is to offer unwavering support,” said Gwarube.
Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, speaking ahead of a site inspection in the O.R. Tambo District, described the disaster as a dark chapter in the province’s history.
“Planning funerals for more than 49 people, with numbers expected to rise, is a monumental task,” said Hlabisa. “The emotional and logistical toll on communities is overwhelming, especially when so many lives are lost in just one day.”
Officials are expected to continue touring the most heavily impacted areas in the coming days as the province begins recovery efforts and searches continue for the missing.