Eastern Cape floods: 49 dead as residents call for swift government response

MTHATHA residents expressed their frustration over what they described as the government’s sluggish response - one they believe may have cost lives - as the death toll from the devastating Eastern Cape floods rose to 49.

According to Premier Oscar Mabuyane, over the past two days, relentless rains, strong winds, and landslides claimed lives and caused widespread devastation across communities, especially in the OR Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities.

Mabuyane confirmed that as of Wednesday afternoon, 49 people were dead, among them were a number of children whose scholar transport was swept away in the floods. 

“The number of people confirmed to have been in the minibus taxi that was swept away is 13. Three learners were rescued alive yesterday and sadly, four learners have been confirmed to be deceased together with the driver and a conductor of the minibus taxi. Four learners are still missing."

He said search and recovery operations were still ongoing across all affected areas, particularly within the OR Tambo District Municipality, where torrential rains caused devastating landslides and left hundreds of families displaced, also causing significant damage to critical infrastructure. 

In the Amathole District, heavy rains have led to the displacement of hundreds of residents from informal settlements, with many relocated to temporary shelters.

“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. Each of the MECs are looking at the service delivery needs of this and other affected communities across the province as mop-up operations begin in earnest. Together with the leadership of the OR Tambo District and King Sabata Dalindyebo LM, the provincial government is on the ground assessing the damage, to support relief operations, and engage directly with affected families and communities. The severe weather has also caused power outages across several areas in the district.” 

Mabuyane pleaded with those victims that they have not yet reached to “remain calm and patient, with the easing of the inclement weather, relief will move faster".

Mthatha resident Makaya Malila said he was alerted when a friend called him for help. 

“The situation is not good at all, the whole place was covered in water, people were hanging on trees, the response from disaster management wasn’t good. An old lady died around 9am, by 2pm her body was still lying there. Bodies were lying, people were stuck in the water for some hours. One guy risked his life to save a girl that was hanging onto a tree. The flood, did not give them a chance to do anything, water came gushing and rushing. This happened around 7am in the morning but around 8:30am the whole place was covered in water, you could hardly see the roofs.

"People are not happy. What makes it disturbing is the response from government, (the) time (taken) to respond. Some other people who died could have survived if the response was swift,” he said.

The Women with Vision organisation said the situation was dire. 

“Help is coming in drips and drabs. People are not yet placed, just placed in community halls. We went to two sites, one community hall had no lights, no running water, people don't have blankets. When we left half eight, they were arranging for mattresses. That one hall had 110 people now, they were given 15 mattresses, 15 blankets, the situation is very dire. We cooked food for 200 people, between the two sites the food was finished.

"Along the dam, houses washed away. Some mothers refused to leave because the children’s bodies were still in that water, it was dark, cold, wet so the search had stopped on Tuesday night.

"Right now... we have some sponsors we have approached, going out this evening with soup bread. There is a big need for clothing, nappies, blankets, warm meals, all the basic things people need to survive,” said Cookie Ventkesamy.

Gift of the Givers also deployed search and rescue teams to the Eastern Cape.

"Emergency teams have been deployed to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to families evacuated to community halls in Butterworth, Nelson Mandela Bay, and Mthatha. 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 a period of seven days, at the request of Amathole District Municipality Disaster Management and Mnquma Local Municipality. Additional supplies and resources have been brought in from other provinces to support relief efforts. Full-scale operations will be extended to the Mthatha area in the coming days, in coordination with the OR Tambo District Municipality," the organisation said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his condolences to the bereaved families, affected communities and Eastern Cape residents at large.

Ramaphosa said these incidents and others that may unfold during winter highlights the need for South Africans to display caution, care and cooperation as the worst impacts of winter weather take effect across the country.

He assured that national, provincial and municipal authorities, including the National Disaster Management Centre, were giving the requisite attention to crises as they unfold.

“While government discharges its responsibilities and services to citizens, we welcome the support we see at times such as this from businesses, community- and faith-based organisations, charities and organisations such as the National Sea Rescue Institute," Ramaphosa said.

“The devastation that comes with nature’s forces demands that we work together as best we can to bring relief to families and communities who need this the most.”

To assist the Women with Vision organisation on the ground in Mthatha, donations can be made via: Women with vision, Bank: Nedbank, account number: 1057055557, branch code: 198 765, reference: Mthatha Floods.

Cape Times