MTHATHA, EASTERN CAPE — The devastating floods in South Africa’s Eastern Cape have resulted in the tragic loss of 49 lives, with hundreds of residents displaced. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane confirmed the rising death toll following severe rainfall that began battering the region on June 10, 2025. Speaking during a visit to the affected areas, the Premier painted a grim picture of the province’s preparedness, admitting that emergency services were not fully equipped to handle disasters of this magnitude.
Death Toll Continues to Rise
Premier Mabuyane visited Mthatha, one of the hardest-hit towns, where initial reports indicated that seven bodies had been recovered following the heavy floods. The victims drowned as the torrential rains overwhelmed low-lying areas. Unfortunately, the numbers continued to rise as search and rescue teams uncovered more victims in the aftermath.
According to Mabuyane, rescue operations are still ongoing, but progress has been slow due to the limited resources available to emergency services in the Eastern Cape. He warned that the province may have to officially declare the flooding a disaster to access additional national support.
Emergency Services Under Pressure
The Premier highlighted long-standing issues surrounding the lack of emergency personnel and resources in the province. Mthatha, a significant regional hub, does not have professional divers for rescue missions, a gap that has been reported repeatedly over the past two years. Furthermore, the entire province relies on a single South African Police Service (SAPS) helicopter based in Gqeberha, hundreds of kilometers away, further delaying timely response in critical situations.https://x.com/Jamani_Khanyi/status/1932412471911800993?t=v3fJ0RygkG7AmZBCRrvSKw&s=19
“We urgently need more resources here,” Mabuyane said. “We need a helicopter stationed in Mthatha and a K9 unit to support search efforts. This area covers a significant portion of our population, yet we remain severely under-resourced.”
He added that the provincial government has been in constant discussions with the SAPS to improve capacity but progress has been slow. Over 400 people have been displaced by the flooding, leaving many families without homes.
Severe Weather Warnings Issued
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued an Orange Level 6 warning for both the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Since early June, the region has experienced cold fronts, snowfall, and storms, culminating in severe flooding. Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel due to the hazardous weather conditions.
In KwaZulu-Natal, major routes like the N2 were temporarily closed due to heavy snowfall, causing traffic congestion and further complicating emergency responses.
Public Criticism of Leadership
Many South Africans have expressed frustration with Premier Mabuyane’s leadership. Critics argue that as the head of the provincial government, he should have prioritized strengthening disaster management capabilities long before this crisis occurred.
One social media user wrote: “How can the Premier claim a lack of resources when it’s his responsibility to provide them?” Another sarcastically suggested that residents of Mthatha should take shelter at Mabuyane’s residence.
As the search continues and displaced families await assistance, the tragedy has intensified calls for better disaster preparedness and faster government response.