On 10 June 2025, the Eastern Cape province of South Africa became the epicenter of a weather catastrophe, experiencing what officials are calling the worst floods in recent memory. Relentless rain, powerful winds, and devastating landslides combined to create a perfect storm of destruction, claiming the lives of at least 49 people and leaving countless others displaced and traumatized.
The OR Tambo District Municipality was particularly hard hit, with reports indicating that the death toll could continue to rise as rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover bodies and search for those still missing. Among the deceased were several schoolchildren whose lives were tragically cut short when their scholar transport minibus was swept away by raging floodwaters.
The scene that followed was one of unimaginable horror. As the minibus was carried downstream, the children inside clung to each other in terror, their screams for help drowned out by the roar of the floodwaters. Onlookers watched helplessly from the riverbank, unable to intervene as the vehicle disappeared beneath the surface.
Tragically, only three of the children survived the ordeal. They were found clinging to trees along the riverbank, exhausted and traumatized but alive. The bodies of six other children, along with the driver and conductor, were later recovered from the wreckage of the minibus. Four children remain missing, their fate unknown.
Among the stories of loss and heartbreak, one particular account has captured the hearts of the nation. One of the pupils, a young girl, managed to escape the sinking minibus and find refuge in a tree along the riverbank. As she clung to the branches, she cried out for help, her voice filled with desperation and fear.
Onlookers on the riverbank watched in anguish, desperate to assist but unable to reach her due to the strong currents and rising water levels. As time passed, the girl's cries grew weaker, her strength failing as she battled against the elements.
Then, a new terror emerged. As the girl clung to the tree, she spotted a snake slithering towards her through the floodwaters. Panic set in as she realized the danger she was in. She cried out that she could see a snake approaching her. In a desperate attempt to escape the reptile, the girl let go of the tree and was swept away by the relentless current. Her body not been recovered, and she is one of the ten deceased learners who were in the minibus.
The mother of one of the missing children, a 14-year-old boy, expressed her relief at the recovery of her son's body, even as she grieved his loss. Nomahlubi Mkhatshani said that her only hope was to find her son’s body, knowing in her heart that he was gone. After hours of searching, divers emerged from the water holding his body, a moment that silenced onlookers and brought her to her knees. She asked rescue teams to turn his face toward her before confirming it was him.
The floods have not only claimed lives but have also left a trail of destruction across the Eastern Cape. Homes have been washed away, infrastructure has been damaged, and thousands of people have been displaced from their homes. The small community of Decoligny, near Mthatha, has been particularly devastated, with many residents losing everything they owned.
Asongezwa Ntlabathi, a 25-year-old resident of Decoligny, recounted the harrowing experience of losing her two nephews, aged six and eight, in the floods. Their bodies were found in the mud at their home, while her mother and oldest nephew remained missing.
Ntlabathi said she was awakened by a frantic call from her mother, who told her that the water was rising rapidly and had reached her house. Ntlabathi tried to call for help, but was told that there was nothing that could be done. Her mother's house was completely submerged before any assistance could arrive.
Loyiso Nokhayingana, another resident of Decoligny, described how he and his 49-year-old mother were trapped inside their house as the floodwaters rose. Nokhayingana was forced to climb into the ceiling and break through the roof with a spade to escape. He was able to rescue his mother, and they were pulled to safety by neighbors.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Government, led by Premier Oscar Mabuyane, has declared a state of disaster and has mobilized resources to assist affected communities. However, the scale of the devastation has overwhelmed local authorities, and national assistance has been requested.
Mabuyane, who joined search and rescue teams in the field, expressed his shock and grief at the scale of the tragedy. He said that the number of fatalities could increase as the search continued and that many other parts of the province were affected by the rains, with roads impassable due to snow.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) confirmed that the scholar transport vehicle that was swept away was a 22-seater minibus affiliated with one of its members. Santaco expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and pledged to support the search and rescue efforts.
It has been revealed that, prior to the tragedy, the driver of the minibus contacted the vehicle owner, expressing his concerns about the overflowing river. The driver, assessing the situation at the bridge, deemed the water levels too dangerous to cross safely. He informed the owner that the vehicle appeared to be stuck and requested assistance to safely extract it from the precarious location. Tragically, before help could arrive, the bridge succumbed to the relentless pressure of the floodwaters and collapsed. The 22-seater minibus, carrying thirteen schoolchildren, the conductor, and the driver, was swept away in the ensuing torrent, sealing their fate in a devastating and irreversible moment.
Gift of the Givers, a South African-based humanitarian organization, has dispatched teams to the Eastern Cape to provide assistance to those affected by the floods. The organization is providing food, water, blankets, and other essential supplies to displaced residents.
As the Eastern Cape grapples with the aftermath of this devastating weather event, the nation mourns the loss of life and rallies to support those who have been affected. The floods serve as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of disaster preparedness and mitigation.
The disaster has also raised questions about infrastructure development and land use planning in the Eastern Cape province. Critics have pointed out that many of the affected communities are located in flood-prone areas and that inadequate drainage systems have exacerbated the impact of the heavy rains.
In the wake of the floods, there have been calls for a comprehensive review of disaster management policies and practices in South Africa, as well as increased investment in infrastructure and community resilience.
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