The Eastern Cape is reeling after powerful storms brought devastation to several communities, claiming at least seven lives in just 24 hours.
In Decoligny Village near Mthatha, six people tragically lost their lives after relentless rainfall and violent winds battered the area. Another body was discovered in Tsolo, near the Bedlana River, where rising waters swept through without warning.
For nearly 300,000 residents, life has come to a standstill. Homes are without electricity, roads have turned to rivers, and communities are bracing for more hardship as snow, rain, and howling winds continue to lash the province.
The violent weather has caused widespread flooding, forcing evacuations and leaving families displaced, unsure of what tomorrow might bring.
In a separate tragedy on Tuesday, five people died in a horrific minibus crash on the N2, just outside East London. The driver and a woman passenger survived but are being treated for serious injuries. According to early reports, the crash happened when the driver tried to swerve away from a tree branch that had fallen onto the road during the storm.
As the province grapples with the aftermath, humanitarian organization Gift of the Givers has stepped in. Their disaster response teams are now on the ground, activated following a Level 6 weather warning that has turned daily life into a desperate struggle for survival.
For many in the Eastern Cape, the past day has been filled with grief, loss, and uncertainty — and the storm isn’t over yet.