Severe flooding in Mthatha, Eastern Cape
by Phishego Mathipa
Overnight torrential rains caused the Mthatha River and tributaries to overflow, submerging homes, damaging infrastructure, and isolating communities across the region. Early morning images show two individuals stranded in trees above the water, yelling for help beneath a raging current.
According to the Eastern Cape provincial government and disaster officials, at least six deaths occurred in Mthatha, with another body recovered near Tsolo, bringing the total to seven confirmed fatalities. A minibus carrying schoolchildren was swept away; though some children were rescued from tree branches, others remain unaccounted for.
image: Timeslive
Emergency teams, including disaster management personnel, medical responders, and police divers, were dispatched from Mthatha, Gqeberha, East London, and Chris Hani district to assist in the rescue efforts. Helicopters were deployed to reach people stranded on rooftops and trees early Tuesday morning. Multiple bridges and roads have been washed away, and the R61 and N2 highways have been closed due to flooding and snow in higher-altitude areas. Submerged homes and vehicles are widespread across neighborhoods like Slovo Park and Decoligny.
South African Weather Service has forecast continued heavy rain and snow in parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu‑Natal, prompting authorities to warn residents to stay clear of flood-prone areas. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane called the disaster a “devastating reminder of nature’s force” as dozens of families have sought shelter in churches and community centers on higher ground. In one harrowing moment, a mother of three described waking up to water rising to window level, prompting a frantic escape with her children.
