The death toll from storms that ravaged parts of the Eastern Cape this week, has risen to 57. 

On Wednesday, EC Premier Oscar Mabuyane said over the past few days, relentless rains, strong winds, and landslides have tragically claimed lives and caused widespread devastation across communities, especially in the OR Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities.

The EC Department of Transport has also warned that black ice has been cleared at the Barkly Pass on the R58 between Lady Grey and Barkly East, and the stranded vehicles have been removed.

“The roadway surface is wet and slippery motorists must exercise extra caution,” the department said. 

Meanwhile, as adverse weather conditions continue to affect the Eastern Cape, the humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers has deployed additional volunteers to the province. 

The organisation’s spokesperson, Ali Sablay that search and rescue teams are being deployed in response to the severe flooding in Amathole and OR Tambo District Municipalities. 

Earlier this week, teams were initially deployed to Butterworth. 

“The floods have caused extensive damage, particularly in Butterworth and Mthatha, displacing nearly 10,000 people. Emergency teams have been deployed to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to families evacuated to community halls in Butterworth, Nelson Mandela Bay, and Mthatha,” Sablay said. 

“Due to extensive damage to the Butterworth water treatment plant, which has cut off the town’s water supply, Gift of the Givers has deployed two water tanker trucks for seven days, at the request of Amathole District Municipality Disaster Management and Mnquma Local Municipality,” Sablay said. 

He said additional supplies and resources have been brought in from other provinces to support relief efforts. 

In the coming days, operations will be extended to the Mthatha area in coordination with the OR Tambo District Municipality.

“At the request of Acting Eastern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, Gift of the Givers’ specialised search and rescue teams will arrive in Mthatha on Thursday to assist in locating missing persons. The organisation commends the ongoing efforts of the SAPS diving unit and rescue teams,” Sablay said. 

Mabuyane said among those who died, there were children whose scholar transport was swept away in floodwaters.

“The severe weather has also caused power outages across several areas in the district. A coordinated, multi-disciplinary Emergency and Rescue Services team has been deployed and remains actively involved in recovery, evacuation, and support efforts across the affected areas in the province,” he said. 

“Infrastructure technical teams have been activated to carry out assessments to ascertain the extent of the damage as well as interventions that are required across the province. At this stage, 20 health facilities have suffered damages to varying levels,” Mabuyane said. 

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Joy Maimela, expressed sadness and concern following the devastating floods in the province.

On Tuesday, a 22-seater scholar transport minibus was swept off the R61, carrying 13 learners, two other passengers, and the driver. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and several learners are still unaccounted for.

“This is a national tragedy that has deeply impacted our education sector. The reports of learners being caught in these devastating floods underscore the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, particularly as they relate to the safety and well-being of our children. This disruption to schooling, coupled with the tragic loss of life, presents an immense challenge to the provincial education system,” Maimela said. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za

IOL

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