The Eastern Cape government said it’ll need more than R5 billion to repair damages caused by the recent devastating floods in that province.
According to the provincial government, the impact of the floods caused significant damage to roads, damaged schools and healthcare facilities, destroyed livestock, disrupted basic services such as water and electricity and destroyed houses.
The Amathole and O.R. Tambo Districts are the hardest hit areas due to loss of lives and the displacement of families, damaged infrastructure, livestock losses and learners missing examinations.
Briefing the media in Mthatha on Thursday, provincial MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Zolile Williams, highlighted that the floods also caused significant damage to both economic and social infrastructure.
“The costs of repairing damaged infrastructure are estimated at R5.1 billion.
About R3.2 billion required across sector departments and R1.8 billion for the Municipal Infrastructure as per MISA assessments.
Due to the severity of the flooding, several structures were damaged, with some completely swept away by the heavy rains.
A total of 6 869 households have been affected, of which 4 724 people have been left homeless across the province, except for the NMBM, whilst 2 145 homes were partially damaged,” said Williams.
In addition, Williams highlighted that R461 million is required for Temporary Residential Units, however, “the province has R120 million rand, and we are looking to the national government for an intervention in this area.”
Meanwhile, search and recovery teams continue to discover other bodies, as the water levels subside three weeks after the disaster.
“As of today, the 26thJune 2025, we can confirm that 101 people have died following the disastrous weather conditions that hit our province, with the youngest victim recovered in Mthatha, an infant about 12 months old.
From the recovered bodies, so far, 94 have been identified and handed over to their families.
Processes are still ongoing to identify the remaining seven bodies.
Unfortunately, due to the passage of time, DNA tests may be required to positively identify bodies found decomposed thus implying that it may take longer to identify the deceased,” explained Williams.
The O.R. Tambo District has been the hardest hit, accounting for 77 of the deceased, with Amathole District recorded ten, Alfred Nzo District five, Chris Hani District five, Joe Gqabi District two, and Sarah Baartman District two.
“Of the total of 101 deceased individuals, 63 are adults and 38 are children, with 32 of the children identified as learners.
It is important to note that there are still two children amongst those who have not yet been recovered.
It is important to note that amongst those who lost their lives, as the provincial government we also mourn the loss of public servants through these tragic events.
These were our first respondents, and we are grateful for the contribution they made in their lifetime,” remarked the MEC.
Furthermore, Williams said the government continues to provide psychosocial, spiritual, and logistical support to the victims and their families.
The MEC also highlighted that some families have already commenced with burials since last weekend.
“From today, we are expecting that 31 of the bodies will be buried across the provinces and this includes two learners from Jumba Senior Secondary School who are being buried in Ngqeleni as well as Ms Nomonde Ntlabathi, who was an Enrolled Nursing Assistant at Bedford Orthopaedic Hospital who will be buried in Centane on Saturday together with her three grandchildren.
Additionally, the government through the Department of Education and SASSA provided financial assistance to the families to assist with preparations for the funerals,” said Williams.
The MEC added that schooling has resumed in the affected areas, and provisions have been made for learners who missed exams due to the extreme weather conditions.
