Eastern Cape flood death toll rises to 88

The death toll from the catastrophic floods in the Eastern Cape has climbed to 88.

This follows the recovery of the body of a 10-year-old girl who had been missing in Libode.

Last week’s floods devastated several areas across the province.

Post-mortems have been completed on all victims. 

So far, 83 bodies have been positively identified by their families, while five remain unidentified. By Saturday evening, 56 of the deceased had been released to their families for burial.

The Eastern Cape provincial government says it has ramped up its response, promising sustained material and psychosocial support to survivors. 

Temporary shelters have been set up, while essential supplies such as food, clothing, hygiene packs, and medication are being distributed to displaced residents.

Search and rescue teams, including volunteers from the Gift of the Givers Foundation, confirmed that the 88th body was discovered in the same area where two others had earlier been found.

The government is urgently appealing to residents to report any loved ones still unaccounted for to law enforcement agencies as rescue operations continue across affected towns, including Mthatha, Libode, and Port St Johns — areas where rivers overflowed, infrastructure crumbled, and entire communities were cut off from basic services.

In a statement, the provincial government confirmed that health services have been deployed on the ground, with the Department of Health providing emergency medical care and replacing chronic medication lost in the floods.

The Department of Home Affairs is also on site, working to reissue identity documents to displaced families so they can access relief and support.

“Local schools have resumed classes to ensure continuity in learning and provisions have been made for learners who missed exams due to the extreme weather conditions to write their papers.”

Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape will observe a day of mourning in Mthatha on Thursday. 

On Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited flood-hit communities, where he met with survivors who had lost homes, schools, and clinics in one of South Africa’s most impoverished regions. 

Much of the infrastructure remains buried in mud and debris, with thousands left with nothing.

“This is a catastrophic disaster which is caused by climate change,” said Ramaphosa, estimating that flood waters in some areas reached more than four metres in height.

As the province mourns, authorities continue to plead with the public to assist in identifying missing persons and support those who have lost everything. 

The focus now shifts to recovery, rebuilding, and ensuring that no family is left behind.

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