The Eastern Cape has been particularly hard hit, with fatalities reported and communities left stranded. The severe weather has also forced the closure of major highways, including the N2, causing travel chaos across the country.
Tragedy struck in the Eastern Cape as six bodies were recovered in Decoligny village in Mthatha and one near Bedlana River in Tsolo following severe floods. The fatalities come amid intense cold and flooding conditions that have severely affected several communities in the province.
The Eastern Cape government has placed disaster response teams on high alert as multiple communities are severely affected.
Flooding left several homes in Mthatha, Butterworth and Mqanduli submerged in water after heavy rains, while a school bus was also submerged and pupils swept away.
In a statement on Tuesday, Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s office said: “The Eastern Cape Provincial Government deeply regrets to announce that seven people have tragically lost their lives due to recent flooding emanating from inclement weather conditions in the province.”
Six bodies were found along Decoligny village in Mthatha, while another body was recovered at Tsolo near Bedlana River.
“These losses occurred amid intense cold and flooding conditions that have severely affected several communities in the province, however, the fatalities have for now been reported from various areas at the OR Tambo District Municipality.
“Provincial government regrets the tragic loss of life during this period and wishes to send condolences to the families of the bereaved,” said Mabuyane’s office.
On Tuesday morning, a group of school pupils traveling to Jumba Senior Secondary School were swept away when their school bus became submerged under water while crossing a bridge near Mthatha.
The Eastern Cape government said the search for the school children was still ongoing.
The scholar transport incident was confirmed by the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco), which said the 22-seater bus belonged to one of its members. At least three pupils were rescued, Santaco said.
In a statement, Santaco said: Eyewitnesses on the scene reported seeing at least three learners clinging to trees and calling for help.
“According to preliminary reports, the driver had contacted the vehicle owner earlier [on Tuesday] morning to request assistance, having noticed that the vehicle was stuck. Unfortunately, by the time help arrived, the water had engulfed the bridge,” Santaco added.
Mabuyane urged residents and motorists to be vigilant. “This is a devastating reminder of nature’s force. We urge everyone to exercise extra caution in areas prone to flooding. Our disaster response teams are on high alert and committed to ensuring the community’s safety,” he said.
An Eastern Cape MEC has urged residents to cancel their trips as severe weather grips parts of the province. Around 300 000 properties in 13 towns experienced power outages. Several areas in Butterworth, Mthatha and Mqanduli are flooded.
Hundreds of thousands of properties in 13 Eastern Cape towns have no power amid heavy snowfall, disruptive winds, and rain in the province on Tuesday.
In addition, Eastern Cape Cogta MEC Zolile Williams urged residents to cancel their trips if necessary and advised motorists to take extra precautions in snow-prone areas.
“Our disaster management teams are on alert, but we are urging people to cancel their trips if necessary and prioritise their safety,” Williams’ spokesperson, Pheello Oliphant, told News24 on Tuesday morning.
Several areas in Butterworth, Mthatha and Mqanduli are flooded, and motorists in low-lying areas are stranded after their vehicles became submerged in water.
Mnquma Local Municipality spokesperson Loyiso Mpalantshane said four vehicles were submerged on the route between Butterworth and Mission Village.
“Fortunately, there were no fatalities. Several areas like Skiet and Eugene informal settlements near Butterworth had their homes flooded and had to be evacuated. Schooling has also been affected in some areas of Butterworth because of a lack of access due to floods,” Mpalantshane added.
Electricity supply was cut off to about 300 000 customers in Mthatha, Qumbu, Tsolo, Elliotdale, Matatiele, KwaBhaca, Bizana, EmaXesibeni, Elliot, Komani, Dutywa, Butterworth and Cofimvaba.
“Eskom teams are preparing to make the areas safe and start restoring electricity supply. We appeal to customers for patience during this strenuous period,” the power utility said.
In the Gogozayo village in Mqanduli, the roof of resident Nosipho Mzaidume’s home blew off. “My goods and many other things inside the house are wet and destroyed. I am just praying that it does not get worse than this. One of the teachers had her car submerged while going to school. Luckily, she did not get hurt,” Mzaidume said.
In Tyekelebende Village in Dutywa, community leader Zamekile Zodala said: “We have had a power outage since the early hours of Tuesday. Many residents have made calls to Eskom, but our concern is when are they going to restore the power when several other areas are affected.”
A powerful cold front has brought snow, freezing temperatures, and dangerous conditions to several parts of the country.
Disaster management authorities have warned the weather may turn deadly if communities are not adequately prepared.
In the Eastern Cape, heavy snowfall and deadly collisions forced the closure of the N10 between Cookhouse and Cradock and the N2 outside East London.
The N2 highway has also been closed in the southern parts of in KwaZulu-Natal due to severe snowfall.
From frozen mountain passes in the Eastern Cape to power surges in Gauteng, the winter storm has exposed the vulnerability of infrastructure and some communities across the country.
In Johannesburg, temperatures have plunged to below zero.
City Power said households cranking up heaters and geysers has pushed the grid to its limit.
