Death Toll from South Africa’s Eastern Cape Floods Rises to 88 Amid Rescue Struggles

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, June 10th, the town of Mthatha and its surrounding villages in South Africa’s impoverished Eastern Cape province were plunged into chaos. Torrential rains triggered flash floods that tore through homes, collapsed roads, and swept away vehicles, claiming nearly a hundred lives, that number expected to rise.

For residents, the destruction was swift and merciless. Families awoke to the sound of rushing water and crumbling structures as the Mthatha River burst its banks. Makeshift homes and formal houses alike were no match for the sheer force of nature.

“We were not ready,” said one local councillor, his voice heavy with emotion. “We had no early warning, no time to evacuate. Many of the people who died were still sleeping.”

A Rescue Operation “Paralysed” by Resource Shortages

Authorities have acknowledged that rescue efforts in the crucial first hours were severely hampered by a lack of resources and coordination. “We were paralyzed,” said a senior provincial official who requested anonymity. “We didn’t have the air support, the boats, the manpower. It took hours—too many hours—before we could even begin to reach those in need.”

Over the following days, teams composed of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Health, Gift of the Givers, and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) were deployed. Efforts intensified over the weekend, with aerial searches locating bodies in and around Mthatha Dam and along submerged rivers.

Gift of the Givers’ search and rescue head, Ahmed Bham, said their collaboration with SAPS air support proved pivotal. “On Saturday, while hovering over the Mthatha Dam, we spotted anomalies in the water. Our diver confirmed that we had found three more bodies. We are now combing both riverbanks with boats and K9 units.”

The Toll on Families and Infrastructure

Entire families are among the dead. On Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the region to offer condolences and view the destruction firsthand. At the collapsed Efata Bridge, a taxi carrying schoolchildren was washed away. At least six learners, a driver, and a conductor died in the incident. Several passengers remain unaccounted for.

“I saw mothers crying in silence,” said President Ramaphosa. “This is not just a natural disaster. It is a humanitarian crisis that exposes the vulnerabilities of the most marginalized in our society.”

Beyond the loss of life, the human toll continues. More than 456 people have reported losing identification documents. Others are displaced entirely, their homes reduced to rubble. Many are sheltering in schools, churches, or with relatives in less-affected areas.

Mobilising Support Amid Widespread Grief

The provincial government, in partnership with relief agencies, is coordinating a multi-pronged humanitarian response. This includes:

• Burial support in collaboration with funeral service provider AVBOB, covering body storage, funeral arrangements, and transport.
• Grocery hampers from Interlink Express for affected families.
• R5,000 in assistance from the Department of Education for families of deceased learners.
• Mobile Home Affairs units deployed to Butterworth and Mthatha to issue temporary IDs and birth certificates.

So far, assistance has been provided for 26 burials, with many more expected in the coming days.

“This is not just about bodies,” said Athlenda Mathe, SAPS national spokesperson. “We are dealing with trauma, dislocation, and a deep sense of loss. The disaster teams are working around the clock, not just to retrieve the missing, but to comfort the living.”

A Climate Warning in Plain Sight

This disaster is a stark reminder of South Africa’s increasing vulnerability to climate-induced extreme weather events. The Eastern Cape, one of the poorest provinces, is already battling fragile infrastructure, chronic underdevelopment, and service delivery failures. Climate scientists have warned that the region—already grappling with alternating droughts and floods—will see more erratic rainfall and flash flooding in the coming years.

“This isn’t just an environmental event,” said a climate researcher at the University of Fort Hare. “It’s a justice issue. Poorer communities are bearing the brunt of climate change without the resources to adapt.”

A Region in Mourning, A Country on Alert

As floodwaters recede, the Eastern Cape is left to count the cost—emotional, physical, and economic. Roads, water systems, schools, and hospitals have all suffered damage. Local municipalities have declared disaster zones, unlocking emergency funds and support.

Still, for many residents, recovery feels a long way off.

Standing amid the debris of what was once her home, a grieving mother who lost two children to the flood said, “They say help is coming. But nothing will bring back what I lost.”