92 dead, many still missing

June 20, 2025

The Eastern Cape is in mourning after severe floods claimed 92 lives, with many more still unaccounted for. The South African National Defence Force(SANDF) and police are conducting a thorough search of the Mthatha River in an effort to locate the bodies of those swept away by the raging waters.

Furthermore, the impact of the floods has been devastating with over 1,000 homes destroyed and families forced to seek shelter in temporary accommodations. The tragedy has hit some families particularly hard, including those who lost children who were traveling to school when the floods struck.

In a show of solidarity, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane led a memorial service to honor the victims of the disaster. The community is now working tirelessly to recover from the devastating effects of the floods. Search teams remain committed to finding those still missing and many are holding onto hope for closure.