South African president visits flood sites with death toll at 78
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President Ramaphosa visits devastated flood sites in Eastern Cape as death toll climbs and rescue efforts continue.
Rising Death Toll Sparks National Attention
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited flood-hit areas in the Eastern Cape on Friday, where at least 78 people have died and many more remain missing. The floods, triggered by an extreme weather front, swept through the region in the early hours of Tuesday, submerging communities and displacing hundreds.
Search and rescue operations are now in their fourth day and authorities warn the death toll is likely to increase.
Mthatha: Epicenter of the Tragedy
Ramaphosa travelled to Mthatha, one of the hardest-hit towns, where he received updates from the National Disaster Management Centre. He also visited a damaged bridge where a school bus carrying students was swept away by floodwaters.
Six students, the bus driver, and another adult were confirmed dead. Four other children are still missing.
Criticism Over Slow Emergency Response
The government’s initial response to the disaster has drawn criticism. Although the weather service issued warnings days in advance, officials admitted they were unprepared for the scale of the flooding.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said the region lacked vital equipment such as search teams, rescue divers, and dog units. The province has only one official rescue helicopter, which had to be flown in from a distant city.
Survivors Describe Horror
The flash floods caught residents off guard as most were sleeping when the water struck. Many homes were swept away or submerged, with people trapped inside.
“I need psychological help,” said Zinathi Vuso, a Mthatha resident. “I saw people dying in front of me… dragged by the water. Others tried to hold onto something, but it would break, and they died.”
Some bodies were discovered over a kilometre away from where victims were last seen, and many children are among the dead.
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Government Vows Continued Support
Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, leading the national government’s response, urged residents to report missing persons to assist rescue teams.
“We are in a crisis. A real disaster,” Hlabisa said in an interview with national broadcaster SABC. “The more water subsides, the more people will be found.”
Officials emphasized the vulnerability of informal settlements, especially those on floodplains, where the poorest communities were hit hardest.
Historical Flood Risk
This is not the first time South Africa has faced such devastation. In 2022, more than 400 people died in flooding around Durban on the east coast.
Coastal areas along the Indian Ocean remain highly vulnerable to extreme weather patterns, and experts warn that climate change could increase the frequency of such disasters.
A Nation in Mourning
As the country processes the scale of the tragedy, calls have intensified for better disaster preparedness and improved infrastructure, especially in marginalized communities.
President Ramaphosa said the government would intensify relief operations, provide support to affected families, and investigate the emergency response delays.
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