The official death toll from the catastrophic floods that struck South Africa’s Eastern Cape last week has reached 92, following the discovery of two more bodies on Wednesday night. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing as communities grapple with the aftermath of one of the region’s most devastating natural disasters in recent memory.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane confirmed that one of the latest victims was a teenage girl, whose body was found near the Mthatha River. Mthatha has emerged as the hardest-hit location, accounting for 68 of the total deaths. The Premier described the scene as heartbreaking and acknowledged the immense loss suffered by families in the area.
“We have made significant progress in identifying the victims,” Mabuyane said during a press briefing. “So far, 86 bodies have been identified, and 83 have been handed over to their families for burial.” He encouraged anyone with missing relatives to report their cases to the nearest police station to aid identification efforts.
In addition to the tragic loss of life, the floods have displaced thousands. An estimated 4,308 people have been left homeless, with many taking refuge in temporary shelters arranged by the provincial government. Officials are racing against time to provide food, water, and secure shelter, as well as to restore damaged infrastructure including roads, bridges, and utility services.
“All three spheres of government—national, provincial, and local—are working around the clock to bring relief to those affected,” said Mabuyane. He also acknowledged the international community’s response, noting that assistance and messages of solidarity have come in “from all corners of the globe.”
Efforts to assess the full extent of the damage are still underway, with teams deployed to survey infrastructure losses, economic impact, and the long-term needs of the affected communities.
Entire neighborhoods in parts of the province remain in ruins, with families desperately searching for missing loved ones. Emergency services continue to navigate treacherous terrain to reach isolated areas, often slowed by blocked roads and unstable ground.
As a gesture of collective mourning, the provincial government will observe a day of remembrance on Thursday in Mthatha. The event aims to honour those who lost their lives and to stand in solidarity with the grieving families.
While the immediate focus remains on rescue and relief operations, longer-term plans for rebuilding are already being discussed. “We are committed to not only restoring what was lost but building back stronger and more resilient communities,” said Mabuyane.
The province faces a long and difficult road to recovery, but with combined efforts from government, communities, and international partners, officials hope to bring some measure of stability and hope to those affected.