EC floods claim over 40 lives, leave at least 58 schools damaged

 

As mop operations continue in the Eastern Cape following devastating floods Education MEC, Fundile Gade, says 6 038 learners have been affected as schooling has been halted due to inaccessibility and damage to at least 58 schools.

“Some of those schools are not usable in terms of the classes that could have been damaged and you need an alternative way out of that and we are currently engaged in exams. Fortunately for us as a province, we chose what you call controlled examinations systems from DBE, that option, which gives you an alternative when you have a crisis,” Gade told journalists during as the provincial government updated the nation on the disaster.

The province has been heavily hit by the inclement weather, with relentless rains claiming at least 49 lives and causing massive destruction, particularly across the OR Tambo and Amathole District municipalities.

Healthcare centres across the province have also been affected, with scores of people left displaced as their homes were left submerged under the water.

Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, has described this as the worst disaster to hit the province that he has ever seen in recent years.

Images of the devastation have been widely shared on social media, as the heavy rains continue to grip the nation.

Rescue workers are still searching for missing residents, who include the four people who were travelling in a school bus transporting learners from Jumba Senior Secondary School that was swept away by the raging waters in Mthatha.

A distraught-looking Mabuyane says the death toll is expected to increase.

Teachers union, Sadtu, has also expressed heartbreak over the loss of young lives, describing it as a tragedy not only for their families, but the entire nation.

The union’s Nomusa Cembi has advised parents, guardians, and schools to not allow children to attend school during adverse weather conditions.

 

KwaZulu-Natal has also been heavily affected by the bad weather conditions, among others.

The South African Weather Service, however, says temperatures are expected to start easing from Thursday afternoon.

[STATEMENT] UMKHONTO WESIZWE PARTY MOURNS LIVES LOST IN EASTERN CAPE FLOODS AND CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY pic.twitter.com/ETdXOM4e9i

— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) June 11, 2025

Why are you guys so relaxed about the Eastern Cape floods? Is it not humans who perished?

— NtsikiMazwaiMedia (@ntsikimazwai) June 11, 2025

@OscarMabuyane is their leader has done nothing towards developing Eastern Cape, with his fake qualification.

— Frequency Media (@Frequencymedia2) June 11, 2025

Our thoughts and prayers 🙏 are with people of eastern cape affected by floods.God have mercy

— DR Renepile 3rd November ✌️ (@EdmondSebola) June 11, 2025

Aii man taba ea Eastern Cape e bohloko jerr💔

— Rehauhetswe M (@hauza_) June 11, 2025

Let us pray for residents of OR Tambo Municipality in the Eastern Cape. Its disheartening to watch and learn that 49 people have left us. Strength to the families

— Javu Baloyi (@javubaloyi) June 11, 2025