By Johnathan Paoli
The Eastern Cape observed a day of mourning on Thursday following the devastating floods that ravaged the region last week. At least 92 people, of whom 30 are children, have died and thousands of people are displaced.
A mass memorial service was held at King Sabatha Dalindyebo TVET College in Mthatha, where grieving families, government officials, community leaders and schoolchildren gathered to remember the victims and called for urgent action.
Acting Eastern Cape premier Mlungisi Mvoko led the ceremony, emphasising the need for transparency, dignity and unity in the face of a disaster of this magnitude.
“This tragedy should not and will not be used as a get-rich-quick scheme. We are dealing with the harsh reality of climate change. We must stop reacting and start preparing for these disasters,” Mvoko said.
He said a provisional damage assessment placed the cost of rebuilding at R4 billion, while only R2 billion was currently allocated in the provincial budget.
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, who was also in attendance, provided updates on ongoing relief efforts.
She confirmed that the government was working on providing permanent housing for over 4300 displaced families.
“We are jumping over the step of Temporary Residential Units. Instead, we want to allocate permanent land to ensure people can rebuild their lives,” Simelane said.
Rescue operations continued in full force.
Two additional bodies were recovered on Wednesday night, pushing the death toll to 92.
Five bodies remain unidentified.
Cooperative governance MEC Zolile Williams appealed to the public to come forward.
“We’re asking families who have not seen loved ones in over two weeks to report them. We need to give closure to these families,” he said.
Williams revealed that the province has deployed drone technology with body-scanning capabilities to aid search efforts in dense and hard-to-reach areas.
The emotional weight of the disaster was palpable throughout the day.
Students paid tribute to their classmates who died when their minibus was swept away by floodwaters.
The youngest victim from Bambanani Senior Primary School in Mthatha was just six-years-old.
The school’s principal, Nosipo Mangula, described a “sombre, traumatised” student body, many of whom still burst into tears during morning assembly.
She told the SABC that no formal psychological support has been provided.
Adding to the gravity of the occasion, NGO Oxfam South Africa raised serious concerns about the distribution of relief donations.
Oxfam SA chairperson Phelisa Nkomo alleged that some municipal officials have been withholding essential items like food and blankets.
“We urge the municipality to ensure that donations reach those who need them most, displaced women, children, and the elderly. This is not the time for inefficiency or mismanagement,” Nkomo told Newzroom Afrika.
Meanwhile, the African National Congress has welcomed the declaration of a state of disaster in the province, saying it would enable a coordinated and comprehensive response to the crisis.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri expressed sympathy and solidarity with the people of Mthatha and surrounding areas, commending President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership and the swift response by national and provincial governments.
The party praised the work of emergency personnel, healthcare workers, police and the OR Tambo District Municipality, especially executive mayor Mesuli Ngqondwana, for remaining on the ground with traditional leaders and community organisations.
It called for unity, compassion and collective resolve to rebuild affected communities.
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