The Eastern Cape Provincial Government hosted a media briefing last week at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha, providing updates on disaster management and relief efforts in response to the tragic flooding that occurred on June 9 and June 10, 2025.
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Zolile Williams, noted the immense emotional toll the rising fatalities have placed on government officials.
Williams revealed that the floods have claimed 101 lives to date, with O.R. Tambo and Amathole districts being the hardest hit.
Among the victims were 63 adults and 38 children, with 32 of the children identified as learners.
Two children remain missing, and seven bodies are yet to be identified, with DNA testing required due to decomposition.
The disaster also caused significant infrastructure damage, affecting roads, schools, utilities, healthcare facilities, and homes.
An estimated R5.1 billion is required for repairs, with 6,869 households impacted and 4,724 people left homeless.
The province currently only has R120 million to address temporary housing needs but requires R461 million, prompting appeals to the national government for intervention.
Temporary accommodations, such as mass-care shelters and community halls, have been activated in partnership with the O.R. Tambo District Municipality and Department of Human Settlements.
Meanwhile, land has been identified to facilitate the delivery of approximately 1,100 Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) and permanent housing, while social facilitation efforts continue to assist families who may need to relocate.
Additionally, 431 schools and 69 health facilities were damaged, along with losses in agriculture, including over 1,300 livestock and 1,803 hectares of crops.
Efforts to provide veterinary services, technical advice, and machinery replacement are underway.
Williams urged the public and media to refrain from prematurely reporting recovered bodies to allow for proper identification through forensic pathology services.
This approach ensures accuracy, sensitivity, and adherence to international best practices for disaster victim identification.
