Pain and sorrow were etched on the faces of family members who lost loved ones during a Provincial Mourning Prayer held by the Eastern Cape Provincial Government at King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) TVET College in Mthatha last week.
At the time of going to print on Tuesday, the total number of recovered bodies was standing at 100.
Deputy Mayor of O.R. Tambo District Municipality, Thandekile Sabisa, said the floods had taken a tragic toll on the community, marking a sombre chapter in the municipality’s history.
“It was the first time we experienced such a disaster. Our area is often affected by disasters, but never like this. We are here to say this must not happen again. We came here today to be with the affected families,” said Sabisa.
He emphasised that when one person suffers, the entire community should share the pain. “We want you to know that the government and O.R. Tambo care for you. Words cannot take away your pain, but the Church Ministry is here to pray with you. Stay strong and let our silence speak. May those we have lost rest in peace.”
Minister for Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, stated that the government is striving to bring comfort to grieving families and ensure ongoing recovery efforts.
“We do not want to count more lives lost again. It is important for families to find closure. The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, visited the area and expressed sympathy after inspecting the damage. We are here as Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and MECs to represent the government of South Africa. We are all shocked. This is something we have never seen before, and we pray it never happens again,” she said.
Provincial Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko, speaking on behalf of the Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, urged families to remain united with the government.
“Mabuyane has been with us since day one. Everyone from the government came to show support. Now that some time has passed, many affected families do not know what to do next. We are mobilising all authorities to assist these communities. We will be with them until their lives are restored. We ask for unity and cooperation from churches to community leaders,” said Mvoko.
Grade 11 learner, Ibenaye Mxoxozi (16), from Jumba Senior Secondary School in Mthatha, shared his heartache over the loss of 13 learners from his school. They were in a bus swept away by floods at the Efata Bridge while on their way to school.
“We lost our friends and classmates — people we considered brothers and sisters because of our close bonds. Emotionally, we are deeply affected. It is hard to cope. Even those left behind at school are still crying because this is too deep,” said Mxoxozi.
Meanwhile, Tanduxolo Dakana is still searching for his daughter, Simbongile Nomntwana Dakana (16), a Grade 10 learner at Jumba Senior Secondary School.
“What makes my heart ache is that we are searching in vain. We know death is a part of life, but we just want to find her body. It is unusual for someone to go missing for this long without a trace. We have searched everywhere around here, unless she is outside Mthatha. I pray day and night to find my child’s body. That, at least, would bring some peace.”
As of the time of publication on Tuesday, the office of Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane announced in a statement that the provincial government is coordinating efforts to provide burial support for the victims of this tragedy.
According to the statement, this support comprises the storage of bodies, burial services, and the transportation of remains to the location selected by each family for burial.
“These provisions have been made possible with assistance from AVBOB, and the government is also working with other undertakers to mobilise additional support in line with the specific needs of each family,” the statement read.
