The death toll from the Eastern Cape floods has risen to 86, with 38 people rescued, as Police Minister Senzo Mchunu returned to Mthatha on Saturday to assess ongoing rescue and recovery operations.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the updated figures at 12:30.
“Search and Rescue teams are still on the ground recovering more bodies,” said Mathe.
Crippling effect
Mchunu’s return marks the government’s intensified focus on the disaster that has crippled communities across the province.
Earlier in the week, President Cyril Ramaphosa and a delegation of ministers and provincial government leaders visited the region to meet affected families and emergency personnel.
Ramaphosa praised rescue workers and declared a national day of mourning in honour of those who lost their lives.
“I have been briefed about what happened here. I must say I have been hugely impressed with the way that our various departments, at national, provincial and local government level have responded to this disaster,” Ramaphosa said.
He was addressing mourners in Mthatha on Friday.
“This is a catastrophic disaster where the flood just went way beyond the banks of the river and rose more than 4 meters high and swept through the various houses.”
The floods —caused by a destructive cold front—tore through homes, roads and schools, sweeping away lives and livelihoods. The tragedy claimed schoolchildren, the elderly, and even first responders.
In the wake of mounting fatalities, The Forum for South Africa (FOSA) issued a strongly worded statement accusing government and municipalities of long-standing failure.
Municipal failures
“Many if not all municipalities across the country, have failed to plan and create new areas for human settlement purposes,” said Tebogo Mashilompane, FOSA’s national leader. “Instead, lack of service delivery and corruption have made the role of town planning irrelevant and non-existent.”
Mashilompane also expressed deep concern over the destruction of learning infrastructure.
“We also express our concern over the damage to educational infrastructure, with 58 schools affected in the Eastern Cape and 130 schools in Durban. The impact on students, teachers, and communities is profound, and we stand in solidarity with them during this difficult time.”
He went on to criticise the slow response to prior weather warnings.
“It must be noted that the weather service department has warned of this devastating weather. Unfortunately, many slept on the job or they do not understand the role of being in disaster management.”
Call on national leaders
FOSA has now called for urgent intervention from national leaders.
“We therefore call on the Minister of COGTA and Minister of Human Settlement to come up with proactive ways that will be able to respond to the challenges faced by poor citizens with regard to lack of serviced stands and proper housing,” said Mashilompane.
Ramaphosa has promised emergency funds, coordinated relief efforts, and a full review of the province’s disaster preparedness systems.
But for many rural residents in flood-stricken zones, the damage is already irreversible. Families and Good Samaritans are digging through the mud for signs of loved ones. Churches have opened their doors to survivors. Children are still missing.
