As the Eastern Cape grapples with the aftermath of devastating floods, the grim toll on human life has escalated to 88, highlighting the catastrophic impact on local communities. Among the victims is a ten-year-old girl from Libode, a tragic reminder of the flooding’s indiscriminate cruelty. Provincial government spokesperson Khuselwe Rantjie confirmed that post-mortems have been completed on 83 of the deceased, with 56 bodies already released to mourning families while five remain unidentified.
The floods, described as unprecedented, have displaced over 1,000 individuals, compounding the grief and hardship faced by families in the region. To pay respects to those lost, a National Day of Mourning has been scheduled for Thursday, fostering solidarity and remembrance during this harrowing time.
In Mthatha, efforts to restore normality are well underway, with the provincial Health Department actively engaged in addressing the urgent needs of patients whose chronic medications have been affected by the floods. Simultaneously, the Department of Home Affairs is providing vital assistance to those who lost their identity documents in the chaos, ensuring that essential services can be accessed once more.
According to Rantjie, service restoration is progressing positively, with water and electricity now regained in most areas affected within the OR Tambo district. The immediate focus of local authorities is on revitalising community infrastructure and ensuring a supportive environment for all displaced residents.