Death toll expected to rise in the Eastern Cape as flooding continues

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.

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