EC govt to brief media on response to floods that have devastated parts of province

MTHATHA - The Eastern Cape government will brief the media on Thursday on its response to the floods that have devastated parts of the province, with 101 confirmed deaths.

The briefing comes as a bitter cold front is expected to hit the region on Thursday, bringing strong winds and freezing conditions that could complicate ongoing recovery operations.

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Most of the victims have been found in the OR Tambo district, where search teams are still looking for two missing children believed to be swept away in the floods.

The weather is expected to take a turn, with the South African Weather Service (SAWS) warning of gale-force winds, rain, and freezing cold conditions.

It’s likely to impact parts of the flood-hit OR Tambo district, where crews from the South African Police Service (SAPS), disaster management, and aid organisation Gift of the Givers have spent weeks searching riverbanks, rubble, and waterways.

The Eastern Cape government said Thursday’s briefing will provide a full update on the death toll, identification processes and relief plans for affected communities.

Of the 101 confirmed recoveries, 94 bodies have been identified and claimed by families but seven remain unclaimed, some in a state that requires DNA matching.

The briefing is also expected to touch on the impact of the cold front and what support will be offered to families still without homes, heat, or basic supplies.