Eastern Cape floods: Another body found as death toll rises to over 90
Another body has been found in the Eastern Cape following the devastating floods that left more than 90 people dead and several missing.
Image: File
Another body was found on Wednesday in the Eastern Cape following the devastating floods that left more than 90 people dead and several missing.
Ahmed Bham, head of Gift of the Givers' search and rescue team, told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that the airwing of the South African Police Service has been instrumental in finding the bodies.
"We have a multi-disciplinary search and rescue team consisting of the South African Police Service, Department of Health and Gift of the Givers. We said over the next two days, we are going to intensify our searches, and we are lucky to have the (SAPS) airwing assisting us. We were in the flight as well to look at the Mthatha Dam, flying to the rivers, when we recovered two bodies at the same place yesterday (Saturday)," said Bham.
"While hovering and doing our searches we saw that something was odd in the water. We sent in our rescue diver and he confirmed that it was a third body. Our other teams are working around the Mthatha River quite intensively with the 'crocs' - the boats that they use in this type of situation, along the river on both sides, combing the area with K9s."
On Saturday, IOL reported that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed the revised death toll, up from 78 the previous day, in a meeting with officers and rescue personnel.
More than 38 people have been rescued thus far, while search and rescue teams remain on the ground recovering additional bodies, SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said.
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This comes as families continue to search morgues for loved ones who went missing during last week's catastrophic weather events, which caused severe flooding to engulf parts of Mthatha and surrounding areas in the early hours of Tuesday morning, SABC News reported.
President Cyril Ramaphosa visited some of the affected communities where he expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in the affected communities.
The president also visited the collapsed Efata Bridge in Mthata, where a taxi transporting school children was swept away, killing at least six learners as well as the driver and conductor, while others remain missing. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
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IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Eastern Cape floods: Another body found as death toll rises to over 90
Another body has been found in the Eastern Cape following the devastating floods that left more than 90 people dead and several missing. Image: File Another body was found on Wednesday in the Eastern Cape following the devastating floods that left more than 90 people dead and several missing. Ahmed Bham, head of Gift of the Givers' search and rescue team, told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that the airwing of the South African Police Service has been instrumental in finding the bodies. "We have a multi-disciplinary search and rescue team consisting of the South African Police Service, Department of Health and Gift of the Givers. We said over the next two days, we are going to intensify our searches, and we are lucky to have the (SAPS) airwing assisting us. We were in the flight as well to look at the Mthatha Dam, flying to the rivers, when we recovered two bodies at the same place yesterday (Saturday)," said Bham. "While hovering and doing our searches we saw that something was odd in the water. We sent in our rescue diver and he confirmed that it was a third body. Our other teams are working around the Mthatha River quite intensively with the 'crocs' - the boats that they use in this type of situation, along the river on both sides, combing the area with K9s." On Saturday, IOL reported that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed the revised death toll, up from 78 the previous day, in a meeting with officers and rescue personnel. More than 38 people have been rescued thus far, while search and rescue teams remain on the ground recovering additional bodies, SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading This comes as families continue to search morgues for loved ones who went missing during last week's catastrophic weather events, which caused severe flooding to engulf parts of Mthatha and surrounding areas in the early hours of Tuesday morning, SABC News reported. President Cyril Ramaphosa visited some of the affected communities where he expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in the affected communities. The president also visited the collapsed Efata Bridge in Mthata, where a taxi transporting school children was swept away, killing at least six learners as well as the driver and conductor, while others remain missing. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
Gift of the Givers staff threatened by Eastern Cape 'water mafia'
The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu has condemned the threats and intimidation directed at humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers while delivering lifesaving assistance to flood-affected communities in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. Inclement weather conditions that had been forecast wreaked havoc in parts of the Eastern Cape last week. As a result, hundreds of people were displaced as they had to be evacuated from their flooded homes, while water and electricity infrastructure were also damaged. At least 90 people have been confirmed dead. According to the police, it is alleged that members of a so-called 'water mafia' reportedly linked to service providers contracted by the OR Tambo District Municipality, threatened Gift of the Givers staff as they distributed clean drinking water to residents impacted by the recent floods. In condemning the incident, Mchunu said police will not tolerate any attempt to intimidate or obstruct those who are working tirelessly to save lives and bring relief to people. Mchunu said the Gift of the Givers has consistently been a source of hope and dignity to South Africans in their hour of need. 'Any attack on them is an attack on the very principle of ubuntu. No individual or group will be allowed to profiteer off disaster or compromise the safety and well-being of our people. Law enforcement will act decisively. 'The SAPS will ensure the safety of all humanitarian workers in the area, and hold those responsible fully accountable under the law. We have also been made aware of individuals who go to the homes of those who lost their lives due to these floods, with a view to committing acts of theft from these homes. Police have been deployed to ensure the safety of the property of the deceased.' In response, the OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape said it is appalled and deeply disturbed by the threats directed towards officials of the Gift of the Givers Foundation. 'We wish to state without fear that extortion is a crime and it is a moral betrayal of the highest order, especially when directed at those extending a hand to the helpless. To prey on a crisis is to turn pain into profit. It is merciless, and it will not be tolerated,' the municipality said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Herald
10 hours ago
- The Herald
'No way police can lead fight against GBV': minister Senzo Mchunu
Some opposition MPs did not take kindly to the remarks. ACDP leader Rev Kenneth Meshoe acknowledged the role of other sectors but said the police must shoulder a central role. 'I agree that there are other stakeholders that have to be involved in attempting to reduce GBV,' he said. 'But whenever there is violence — no matter what kind — the police must take responsibility to ensure the safety and security. They must make sure those men who are violent are arrested.' Meshoe warned that if the SAPS failed to prioritise GBV, women and children would remain vulnerable. Mchunu responded that police are not seeking to escape responsibility but rather emphasising that prevention requires community-wide involvement. Last month Mchunu presented the country's latest crime statistics which painted a grim picture. 'Women remain disproportionately affected by rape, assault GBH and murder. Our resolve to fight GBVF is unwavering,' he said. South Africa continues to face one of the highest rates of GBV in the world. According to Stats SA one in three women aged 16 and older has experienced physical violence, while one in five has suffered sexual abuse. The Human Sciences Research Council found that 33.1% of women aged 18 and older have endured physical violence in their lifetime. TimesLIVE
