President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in the Eastern Cape on Friday to assess the devastation caused by severe flooding that has claimed at least 78 lives, with search and recovery operations still underway.
The deadly winter storm, which struck late Monday, submerged large swathes of the largely rural province, damaging homes, roads, schools, and clinics. Thousands of families have been displaced, with mud and debris now covering what remains of many communities.
Ramaphosa, who previously described the disaster as “unprecedented,” is expected to visit several hard-hit areas, including the site where a school bus was swept away, killing at least six children and three adults.
Rescue teams, aided by helicopters and sniffer dogs, continued door-to-door searches on Thursday, hoping to locate survivors or recover bodies. Many residents were trapped inside their homes as floodwaters surged overnight, while others escaped to rooftops and waited hours for help.
The worst-hit area is the city of Mthatha, around 800 kilometres south of Johannesburg, where landslides further compounded the destruction. According to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, the official death toll stood at 78 as of Thursday.
The South African Red Cross Society said more than 3,500 households had been affected, with community halls now serving as temporary shelters. Aid group Gift of the Givers warned that the number of people in need could rise significantly.
“The homes are fragile and could collapse at any time. Food is contaminated, so people need to be evacuated urgently,” said the foundation’s spokesperson, Ali Sablay.
At least 20 health facilities and 58 schools have sustained damage, according to provincial authorities.
While snow and heavy rain are not unusual during South Africa’s winter months, experts warn that the country’s vulnerability to climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.