DailySun
Mthatha – The death toll from the floods in the Eastern Cape has now risen to 57, raising concerns that it could increase further as rescuers continue to sift through the debris of collapsed homes.
On Thursday, rescue teams resumed their search for those missing after the floods caused extensive damage in the province’s rural areas.
Efforts involve police divers, community volunteers, and a crew from the NSRI Wilderness.
The death toll was reported as 49 the day before.
The severity of the disaster has led President Cyril Ramaphosa to schedule a visit to the affected region on Friday (13 June 2025).
The President aims to gather firsthand insights into the disaster, which sadly swept away a 22-seater bus carrying schoolchildren.
President Ramaphosa is also expected to meet with local families who have been affected.
This visit follows that of two Cabinet ministers from the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the Democratic Alliance (DA).
This tragic event has sent shockwaves not just through local and provincial authorities but also at the national level.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velinkosi Hlabisa and Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube visited the province on Thursday (12 June 2025).
Minister Hlabisa, the IFP leader, extended his condolences to the families impacted by the tragedy.
“It is heart-wrenching to see that 57 individuals are now confirmed deceased according to the report we received this morning,” Minister Hlabisa stated.
“The number 57 is not just a statistic; it represents human lives, some of whom were family breadwinners and others, the only children in their families.”
“We underscored the importance of being a government present for its people, which is why we came here starting yesterday and will continue to do so.”
Minister Hlabisa mentioned that his department would allocate part of its disaster grant to provide assistance.
“Our first step will be to visit the families we can reach, as well as the affected areas because, as Cogta, we must respond under the disaster grant allocation,” Minister Hlabisa elaborated.
The minister urged individuals to refrain from building homes in flood-prone zones or near streams to ensure their safety.
He noted that the government would need to take decisive action in the future against those living in high-risk areas.
“The message I want to relay to everyone, including residents in this area, is that the flooding occurred because people are living on a riverbank, placing them in a floodplain,” Minister Hlabisa stated.
“As a government, we must adopt a stringent approach towards anyone residing in such hazardous zones.”
Meanwhile, Basic Education Minister Gwarube expressed her shock at the loss of students, emphasizing that their parents had high hopes for them. Her department will continue to work closely with grieving families.
Sadly, several schoolchildren and their driver lost their lives when their minibus, used for transporting students, was swept away by the floods.
