By Johnathan Paoli
At least 49 people have died and hundreds left destitute in the Eastern Cape due to days of heavy rain and flooding, with calls growing for urgent government intervention.
“I’ve never seen something like this before. We’ve had disasters in the past, but this is one of the most severe weather events in our province’s history. The combination of snow and torrential rain in winter is extremely rare, and it shows the harsh realities of climate change,” Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane told reporters on Wednesday.
He has warned that the death toll may rise as search and recovery efforts proceed
One of the most harrowing incidents was a scholar transport minibus that was swept away in a river near Dikolini in the Mthatha West District. It was carrying 13 learners and two adults when it attempted to cross a low bridge that collapsed under pressure.
The premier said three children had survived, six bodies were recovered and the four others were still missing.
Earlier in the day, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said she was deeply distressed by the incident, and would make her way to the area so that she could be on the ground with her provincial counterpart and his team.
“I have been in contact with the President, the Minister of COGTA, and the Eastern Cape MEC for Education, and I continue to receive regular updates from the provincial disaster management teams. We will work closely with the Eastern Cape government and COGTA over the coming days in order to make sure that we support our learners and educators during this disaster,” Gwarube said on X.
Most of the country has been hit by severe weather, ranging from floods to snow to bitterly cold temperatures.
In the Eastern Cape, many survivors are now sheltering in schools, community halls and makeshift tents.
Education MEC Fundile Gade reported that 58 schools have been affected, primarily in OR Tambo Coastal, Amathole East and Alfred Nzo West
“Over 6000 learners are impacted, while some schools remain operational, others are inaccessible. We’re working with district directors to adapt exam timetables and provide alternative venues,” Gade said.
Eskom has reported that over 160,000 customers remain without power across the province.
Major routes like the R61 and sections of the N2 are closed due to flooding and landslides.
Mabuyane warned that disaster funding was urgently needed.
“We’re a large and disaster-prone province, yet we only have one helicopter in Gqeberha. It’s grounded in bad weather. We need more helicopters, divers and K9 rescue units based in places like Mthatha, where these tragedies are happening,” the premier said.
He also raised concerns about the proliferation of informal settlements in high-risk areas.
“We know the need for housing is great, but many of these homes are built on floodplains or unstable land. Traditional leaders must work with municipalities to ensure zoning laws are enforced. We have spatial plans, but without enforcement, they are meaningless,” Mabuyane said.
The provincial executive council is considering declaring a formal state of disaster in the coming days.
Earlier in the day, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his sadness at the loss of lives in the province.
He also assured the nation that national, provincial and municipal authorities, including the National Disaster Management Centre, were giving the requisite attention to crises as they unfolded.
“While government discharges its responsibilities and services to citizens, we welcome the support we see at times such as this from businesses, community- and faith-based organisations, charities and organisations such as the National Sea Rescue Institute,” the president said in a statement.
“This is a time where we need to take care of ourselves in our homes and reach out to neighbours and friends who need help of any kind.
“We must pull together where disaster strikes and while none of us should evade accountability, we must put problem-solving and collaboration ahead of blame and conflict.”
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has called for urgent national intervention, with chairperson Nqabisa Gantsho warning that such disasters would increase due to global warming.
She said climate resilience must now be a central component of governance.
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