Eastern Cape authorities are providing shelter to hundreds of residents from the Skiet informal settlement in Butterworth, after heavy rains flooded their homes. Affected families are currently being accommodated in a local town hall.
The Mnquma Municipality says it is working closely with various government departments to provide temporary relief. Municipal spokesperson Loyiso Mpalantshane explains, “At the moment, we are coordinating assistance to provide food and blankets so people can keep warm. Fortunately, there have been no reports of fatalities or injuries. Residents woke up around 4 am to find water entering their homes and managed to evacuate quickly enough to avoid harm.”
Meanwhile, humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers has stepped in to support displaced residents. Continuous rainfall has caused widespread localised flooding, leaving many communities stranded.
Tragically, at least nine people have died, and the search continues for eleven others, mostly schoolchildren, who went missing after the minibus they were travelling in was swept away in the Mthatha area.
Those impacted are being housed in municipal halls and local schools.
Gift of the Givers’ provincial coordinator Corene Conradie says, “We are currently focused on immediate relief—getting urgent items to those in need. We will be engaging with our stakeholders to assess the next steps, including the possibility of supporting longer-term recovery. Many of these residents live in poverty, and we want to work together to help rebuild their community.”
