President Ramaphosa Urges Unity as Eastern Cape Mourns Six Flood Victims Amid Severe Weather Crisis

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President Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa urges unity as Eastern Cape mourns six flood victims amid severe weather crisis, expressing his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in devastating floods, heavy rains, and snowfall across the province. In a statement on Wednesday, the President called for communities to stand together, exercise caution, and support one another as a powerful cut-off low weather system continues to wreak havoc, prompting a Level 9 warning from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) for heavy rain and thunderstorms in the OR Tambo District Municipality. With icy conditions and road closures affecting KwaZulu-Natal and warnings of domestic and veld fires in the North West, the nation faces a challenging winter, testing its resilience and spirit of ubuntu.

A Nation Mourns Eastern Cape Losses

The Eastern Cape has been battered by a relentless winter storm, with torrential rains, high winds, and snowfall claiming six lives and causing widespread damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure. President Ramaphosa expressed deep sorrow for the families affected, emphasizing the need for collective action to support those impacted. “Our hearts go out particularly to families and communities who have been directly affected by death, injury, and the loss of property,” he said, echoing sentiments from his 2022 address following catastrophic floods in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape that killed over 443 people.
The SAWS issued an Orange Level 9 warning for severe disruptive rain in the OR Tambo District Municipality, including areas like Port St Johns, King Sabata Dalindyebo, Mhlontlo, and Nyandeni. This follows reports of nine flood-related deaths in the province, with two additional bodies recovered in Mthatha and a school bus carrying children still missing after being swept away by floodwaters. The cut-off low system, a weather phenomenon known for triggering heavy showers and thundershowers, is expected to persist, heightening the risk of further flooding and infrastructure damage.

Severe Weather Grips KwaZulu-Natal and Beyond

The severe weather has not been confined to the Eastern Cape. In KwaZulu-Natal, heavy snowfall led to the closure of the N2 highway between Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg, as well as the R603 from Tacoma to Reit, to prevent accidents and save lives. KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, urged motorists and snow chasers to heed SAWS warnings, stating, “To save lives, we have decided to close completely the road between Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg as well as the R603 – Tacoma to Reit. Our message to motorists and snow chasers is that prevention is better than cure.” Duma praised the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and motor grader operators for clearing snow before it reached 30cm, ensuring safer roads in areas like Port Shepstone and Kokstad.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) echoed these calls, urging drivers to exercise extreme caution on icy roads across the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. In the North West, the Provincial Government warned of heightened risks from domestic and veld fires due to strong, fire-spreading winds and increased use of indoor heating methods like paraffin stoves and open fires. “Freezing weather is upon us and an increasing dependence on indoor heating techniques like paraffin stoves, heaters and open fires are likely to be the order of the day,” the government stated, urging vigilance to prevent fire-related tragedies.

Government and Community Response

President Ramaphosa commended the efforts of emergency services, municipal workers, and community volunteers who have worked tirelessly to assist affected areas. “While government discharges its responsibilities and services to citizens, we welcome the support we see at times such as this from businesses, community- and faith-based organisations, charities and organisations such as the National Sea Rescue Institute,” he said. He highlighted the spirit of ubuntu, encouraging South Africans to “reach out to neighbours and friends who need help of any kind” during this challenging period.
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, had earlier warned of the approaching cold front, noting, “This intense cold front is expected to begin over the weekend and affect large parts of the country.” His call for increased vigilance has been reinforced by provincial disaster management teams, which are actively monitoring routes and providing aid. In KwaZulu-Natal, over 10 motor graders have been deployed to clear snow, while the Eastern Cape has mobilized teams to search for missing persons and repair damaged infrastructure.

A Call for Caution and Collaboration

The President urged South Africans to prioritize safety, particularly on roads and in flood-prone areas. “We also need to exercise caution on our roads when travelling for work or leisure, or as we get out in nature where we may want to see such sights as snowfalls or flooded rivers. We must observe by-laws and regulations that exist to protect us in these conditions,” he said. He warned against risky behavior, such as attempting to cross swollen rivers or driving through snow-covered areas, which has led to tragedies like the missing school bus in Mthatha.
Ramaphosa also emphasized the importance of unity over division. “We must pull together where disaster strikes and while none of us should evade accountability, we must put problem-solving and collaboration ahead of blame and conflict,” he said. This message resonates with past responses to climate-related disasters, such as the 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods, where the government faced criticism for inadequate climate action, leading to culpable homicide complaints against Ramaphosa and cabinet ministers.

Climate Change and Future Preparedness

The ongoing severe weather has reignited discussions about climate change’s impact on South Africa. Experts have noted that cut-off low systems, like the one currently affecting the country, are becoming more frequent and intense due to global warming. The 2022 floods, which saw 200–400mm of rain fall in KwaZulu-Natal within 24 hours, were described as a “catastrophe” exacerbated by climate change, with similar patterns now affecting the Eastern Cape. The government’s response, including the declaration of a national state of disaster in 2022, underscores the need for long-term strategies to mitigate such events.
KwaZulu-Natal has invested R8.7 billion in transport infrastructure for the 2024/2025 financial year, with R4 billion allocated for road maintenance to address damage from snow and floods. However, MEC Duma acknowledged that budgets may need adjustment as extreme weather events increase. The province is also exploring rail network modernization to reduce reliance on vulnerable road systems, particularly for trade routes linked to the ports of Durban and Richards Bay.

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