Flood victims rescue operation from Mthatha River called off on account of weather

MTHATHA - Search-and-rescue operations in flood-hit Mthatha have been called off for the day, with crews expected to resume on Thursday morning under extremely cold conditions.

Search-and-rescue teams say no new bodies have been recovered on Wednesday, and no additional missing persons have been reported.

Eastern Cape authorities remain on high alert, with heavy rain and snow forecast for parts of the province from Thursday.

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Rescuers from the South African Police Service (SAPS), disaster management and aid organisation Gift of the Givers spent the day covering a stretch of the Mthatha River, navigating dense mud, scattered debris and collapsed structures swept away in the storms.

But as the sun sets, teams are gathered on top of a hill in Joe Slovo for a debrief, reflecting on a difficult day and strategising for Thursday.

“Wed spoke to the South African Weather Services. We are waiting for their response to tell us where the hotspots will be, but that won't stop us,” said Siseko Mcakuvana, who is part of the Gift of the Giver’s rescue team.

With temperatures expected to drop sharply, crews say time is running out, and the possibility of snowfall and further rain could hamper their searching effort.