Eastern Cape mourns flood victims as death toll continues to climb

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