The Department of Basic Education has announced urgent interventions to assist learners and restore damaged school infrastructure in the Eastern Cape following deadly floods that have disrupted the education of more than 6,000 pupils and left over 70 schools severely damaged.
The floods, which struck earlier this week, claimed the lives of 49 people, including learners whose minibus was swept into a river. Several individuals remain unaccounted for.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube confirmed that national resources are being mobilised to address the crisis.
“I briefed the President about the tragedy, particularly the scholars who were killed in the accident and those still missing,” Gwarube said. “Given the scale of the disaster, we are confident that national resources will be deployed swiftly to the region.”
Political Fallout and Accountability Demands
In the wake of the tragedy, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Eastern Cape have issued a scathing condemnation of the provincial government, calling for it to be placed under administration. The party argues that the devastating consequences could have been mitigated with better infrastructure and more effective disaster response.
EFF provincial chairperson Zilindile Vena accused provincial officials of negligence, citing long-standing failures to upgrade and maintain essential infrastructure.
“There was funding allocated for this infrastructure—was it built, was it maintained? And who is responsible for ensuring it was?” Vena asked. “Officials who failed in their duties must be held accountable.”
Vena also criticised the emergency response, saying it came too late to save lives. “Even when the floods struck, people were drowning and the response only came six hours later. This, despite clear weather warnings and municipal alerts urging communities to prepare,” he said. “Yet the municipality was caught completely unprepared.”
Emergency Efforts Underway
The Department of Basic Education is currently coordinating with disaster management authorities, local municipalities, and NGOs to assess the full extent of the damage and provide psychosocial support to affected families and learners.
Minister Gwarube reaffirmed her department's commitment to ensuring that learners are not left behind. “We are working tirelessly to ensure that learning resumes as soon as possible and that those affected receive the support they need, both educationally and emotionally.”
As the Eastern Cape reels from the tragedy, public pressure is mounting for answers, accountability, and a long-overdue overhaul of the province’s disaster preparedness and school infrastructure.