Survivors of the devastating Eastern Cape floods, which claimed over 80 lives in mid-June 2025, began receiving government assistance on 22 June. Among the support provided was help with replacing important documents lost during the disaster.
Deputy Ministers Visit Affected Areas
Deputy ministers from the Departments of Home Affairs, Human Settlements, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and the Presidency visited Mthatha and Butterworth to assess the damage. These areas were among the worst affected after days of severe flooding that followed cold and snowy conditions from 7 to 10 June.
Their visit aimed to evaluate the needs of communities and coordinate relief efforts on the ground.
Identity Documents and Housing Support
The Department of Home Affairs assisted residents by helping them replace lost identity documents and register births. According to Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza, mobile units were deployed to provide services directly in the affected communities. He estimated that new identity documents would be issued within two to three weeks.
The Department of Human Settlements confirmed that land had been identified in the King Sabata Dalindyebo and Mnquma municipalities for the relocation of displaced families. Minister Thembi Simelane added that the government is also considering financial support in the form of grants to help victims rebuild their homes.
Province Struggles to Recover
The floods caused widespread destruction, washing away homes, damaging infrastructure, and leaving many families without shelter. With dozens still missing, the official death toll stands at over 80.
The disaster was declared a national emergency. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane admitted that the province was not fully equipped to respond to a natural crisis of this scale. He called for greater disaster preparedness and stronger support systems to protect communities in the future.
Government officials have committed to continuing relief and recovery efforts, while also focusing on long-term solutions to strengthen resilience against future natural disasters.
