Eastern Cape situation remains dire: Gift of the Givers

A week after heavy rains claimed 90 lives and wreaked havoc in the Eastern Cape, humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers, says the situation in the province remains dire.

Thousands of people have been displaced after their homes were flooded and infrastructure was damaged. Over 55 schools and 20 health care facilities were destroyed.

The O.R. Tambo and Amathole District municipalities have been hardest hit.

Gift of the Givers’ spokesperson, Abi Sablay, told YNews that their rescue mission has now been turned into a search and recovery effort.

Three learners from Jumba Senior Secondary School, who were rescued after the minibus they were travelling in was swept away by raging floodwaters in Decoligny, last week say they are traumatised.

Four of their fellow travellers are still missing, while six others have been confirmed dead, together with their driver and his assistant.

One of the learners says she held onto a tree for about six hours.

She says she tried to help her friend, but let go of her after she had caught sight of a snake.

The Eastern Cape provincial government says, so far, 80 flood victims have been positively identified by their families.

It says out of the 90 fatalities, 60 are adults and 30 are children.

Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, has declared Thursday, June 19, as a Provincial Day of Mourning in Decoligny Village, Mthatha.

Human Settlements Minister, Thembi Simelane, says more than a 1 000 homes will have to be rebuilt in the province.

This as some South Africans, including Grammy-winning DJ Black Coffee, through his Black Coffee Foundation, lend a helping hand to the affected families.

The DJ’s foundation has, so far, raised R500 000 in a bid to help the victims of the floods rebuild their lives.

Rebuilding Mthatha requires more than hope — it requires builders, materials, and expertise.

We’re calling on construction companies to join us in this critical phase. Your skills and resources can change lives.

Contact us to be part of the solution.🤎 pic.twitter.com/gBvQ1IhwKP

— Black Coffee Foundation (@FoundationByBC) June 17, 2025

Social media users are still shocked by the floods and how much devastation has been left.

#MthathaFloods
EASTERN CAPE @MYANC authorities stole COVID food packages.
They are NOW steal #Flood victim’s Donations.
Anyway, those victims deserve every inconvenience, neglect, pain and suffering they endure.
Their Beloved ANC will show them flames. #tshotsho

— Bhungane Ludidi🇿🇦 (@Bhungane3003) June 17, 2025

They have stolen the money that was meant to pay for the BnB stay for flood victims in the Eastern Cape….
I give up, hey 🤦🏽‍♀️

— Tee😛 (@crazythatoo) June 17, 2025

@GovernmentZA If the Eastern Cape provincial government has already received funds from UAE, why are the people still squatters in public halls. Why can’t you the government do as you did during covid 19 ? Can’t you see this is crisis . Or you have no regard for black lives?

— LB Joseph (@bavumalulamile) June 17, 2025

Sistress into yala Eastern Cape😭 imizi iyaphela sana, incl owasekhaya.

— 🦋 𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐋𝐀 🦋 (@Mamzangwa2_0) June 17, 2025