By Thapelo Molefe
The death toll from the Eastern Cape floods has risen to 95, the provincial government confirmed on Monday.
It also announced that 86 of the recovered bodies have been identified and collected by families, while identification is still underway for the remaining victims.
Among the newly discovered bodies are two teenage boys who were found on Sunday afternoon.
Search and recovery operations are ongoing, and they are now supported by a fourth team from the North West province, in collaboration with the SA National Defence Force.
Acting premier Mlungisi Mvoko acknowledged the efforts of both professionals and community members involved in the rescue and recovery operations, pledging to speed up support for those who were affected.
The government together with private partners like AVBOB, has mobilised burial support, including storage, funeral services and transport.
So far, 26 flood victims have been buried with state assistance. Additional support includes grocery hampers from Interlink Express, R5000 in financial aid for each deceased learner from the Department of Education and emergency Home Affairs mobile offices helping displaced residents replace lost documents. Around 30 children have died.
However, the province is not out of danger.
The South African Weather Service has issued a new warning, predicting strong and damaging winds across most of the Eastern Cape starting on Thursday.
These winds are part of a powerful cold front moving in from the Western Cape and could worsen the already fragile situation in flood-hit communities like Mthatha.
“We fear these conditions will inflict more pain on an already leaking wound,” said Rudzani Malala from the SAWS during a media briefing on Monday.
With the weather expected to deteriorate further, residents are urged to stay alert and follow official warnings to protect lives and property.
The Red Cross has said that at least 3500 households have been affected in the Mthatha area, with many people now sheltering in community halls. NGOs warn that the number of people in need is likely to increase dramatically.
Last week, premier Oscar Mabuyane said at least 20 health facilities and more than 400 schools and 1400 classrooms were damaged, affecting tens of thousands of learners.
And the Gift of the Givers’ Ali Sablay has warned that many homes are still at risk of collapse.
Food has been contaminated, infrastructure damaged and people had to be moved to safer areas.
The government has put various measures in place to help victims and is working closely with private companies and civil society groups to be bring relief to the thousands of people impacted by the floods.
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