In the heart of the Eastern Cape, a tragedy unfolded on 10 June 2025, a day that will forever be etched in the memories of the people of Mthatha. Relentless rains had been battering the region, causing rivers to swell and bridges to become submerged. It was on this day that a minibus taxi, carrying 13 young learners and two adults, attempted to cross the eFata bridge near Mthatha, a decision that would lead to unimaginable heartbreak.
The minibus was en route to Jumba Senior Secondary School, a place of learning and hope for the children within. As the vehicle approached the bridge, the driver, familiar with the route, perhaps underestimated the power of the floodwaters. According to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, the driver had crossed the bridge earlier to collect the children and believed he could cross again, despite the increased water levels.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horror that unfolded as the minibus entered the flooded bridge. The force of the water was overwhelming, and the vehicle was quickly swept away, becoming a helpless vessel in the raging torrent. Inside, the children, their faces etched with terror, clung to each other, their cries for help lost in the roar of the floodwaters.
The minibus was carried downstream, a scene of unimaginable anguish playing out before the eyes of those who stood helplessly on the riverbank. They could only watch as the vehicle disappeared beneath the surface, the hopes and dreams of so many young lives seemingly swallowed by the unforgiving waters.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, rescue teams and community members worked tirelessly to search for survivors. Three children were found clinging to trees along the riverbank, exhausted and traumatized, but alive. Their survival offered a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation.
However, the search also yielded grim discoveries. The bodies of six other children, along with the driver and conductor, were recovered from the wreckage of the minibus. The community mourned the loss of these precious lives, their grief echoing through the valleys and hills of the Eastern Cape.
Among the missing was 16-year-old Simbongile Kadeeja Nomntwana. Her family clung to hope that she would be found, their days filled with relentless searching along the riverbanks and in shelters. Her uncle, Thandokuhle Dakana, expressed the family's desperate desire for closure, saying they just wanted to find her remains so they could bring her home and lay her to rest.
As the search continued, a harrowing detail emerged, a story of unimaginable fear and desperation. According to Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, one of the pupils had managed to escape the sinking minibus and find refuge in a tree along the riverbank. For a while, she held on, battling the elements and the rising water levels.
Simbongile's father, Mussa AjiDa, recalled the last time he saw his daughter. He had left bus fare for her, despite his reservations about her going to school in such heavy rain. Later that morning, Simbongile messaged him, saying there was an issue by the bridge and asking for his help. By the time he reached the bridge, the minibus had already been washed away.
Search-and-rescue teams, including the Gift of the Givers Foundation, continue to work tirelessly to recover the missing. Ahmed Bham, head of the search-and-rescue team at the foundation, praised the community's resilience and compassion in the face of such adversity.
The Eastern Cape provincial government has announced that it will hold a provincial day of mourning on 19 June 2025, in Decoligny village, to honour those who lost their lives in the floods. The day will be a time for reflection, remembrance, and solidarity as the community begins the long process of healing.
In the wake of the tragedy, questions have been raised about the safety of infrastructure and the preparedness of communities for natural disasters. The incident has highlighted the need for improved early warning systems, better infrastructure, and more effective disaster response mechanisms.
Follow Us on Twitter
