10 bodies recovered in Mthatha as search efforts continue
The death toll in the devastating floods that have battered parts of the Eastern Cape continues to climb, with at least 10 bodies recovered in and around Mthatha.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane confirmed on Wednesday that four of the victims have been positively identified, including a scholar transport driver and his conductor.
This follows the tragic incident where a minibus taxi, transporting school pupils, was swept away by powerful floodwaters on Tuesday.
Speaking to SABC News, Premier Mabuyane detailed the extent of the tragedy.
"The community and people who are working on the ground have identified four that would have been part of the bus that was actually swept away. We have identified the driver and the conductor. We are estimating about 15 people who would have been in the bus. That includes the two adults,” he said.
"Three were rescued alive yesterday, so we are now working on the assumption that 10 are still unaccounted for. Of those, four have been identified. So we’re still looking at about six missing, if those figures are correct."
Rescue efforts remain focused on Decoligny Village in Mthatha, where eight bodies were found, and the Tsolo area near the Bedlana River, where another body was recovered.
Aerial surveillance and aquatic search teams, including divers, are combing the flood-hit zones.
"We are on the ground to make sure we verify these facts ourselves and ensure we are able to account to the people of South Africa and the people of the Eastern Cape," Mabuyane said.
"It’s bad. It is terrible. The water level was almost two and a half to three meters high, flowing over the rooftops of big houses."
In addition to the loss of life, the floods have caused widespread displacement, destroyed critical infrastructure, and submerged numerous homes. Roads have been rendered impassable, and emergency services are battling difficult conditions to reach affected communities.
Premier Mabuyane also confirmed that Velenkosini Hlabisa, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, is expected to visit the province on Wednesday.
"We are calling everybody, wherever people are. I know the minister of COGTA called me, he’s arriving this afternoon to come and be with us on the ground," Mabuyane said.
Mabuyane is expected to address the on the latest developments at 2pm.
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