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Floods in the Eastern Cape.
Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube says her department has put in place plans to support learners and repair damaged infrastructure in the Eastern Cape.
This is after severe floods affected the schooling of more than 6 000 learners. More than 70 schools were damaged.
The death toll stands at 49 after floods swept a minibus, in which learners were travelling, into a river.
Gwarube says resources are being mobilised at the national level.
“I also briefed the president about the matter, particularly surrounding the scholars that were killed in the accident yesterday and those still missing. I do believe that due to the scale of the tragedy, we will be able to mobilise national resources to descend on this region.”
Extreme Weather | 49 lives lost in the Eastern Cape in the wake of Eastern Cape floods
I am deeply distressed by the tragic incident that took place in Mthatha, involving a scholar transport vehicle that was swept away by the floods.
I am currently on my way to the Eastern Cape so that I can be on the ground with the MEC and his teams; to ensure that affected…
— Siviwe Gwarube (@Siviwe_G) June 11, 2025
‘Under administration’
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Eastern Cape has called for the provincial government to be placed under administration.
The EFF has blamed the provincial government for the deaths, saying they could have been avoided if there had been proper infrastructure.
EFF provincial chairperson Zilindile Vena says officials who have failed to ensure that there’s proper infrastructure in province must be brought to book.
“There was money sent for this infrastructure to be built, to be maintained, and was that done? And who is responsible?”
Vena says they need to hold people accountable, adding, “Even when the floods happened, people were drowning, and the response only came six hours later. This, despite weather warnings and communication from municipalities urging communities to prepare for heavy rains. Yet, the municipality was caught unprepared.”
