The South African National Taxi Council, Santaco, is mourning the tragic loss of school children swept away by floods in the Eastern Cape.

Thirteen pupils were in a 22-seater scholar transport minibus when it was swept off a bridge by floodwaters near Koloni village, Mthatha.

Six pupils, the driver, and his assistant have been confirmed dead, while four children are still missing. Three pupils were initially rescued. Some media reports say the three children survived the ordeal after they were found clinging to a tree.

The devastating floods have claimed at least 57 lives across the province. Eastern Cape rescue authorities are continuing their search for those missing.

 Premier Oscar Mabuyane said at least five rescue teams had been dispatched to search for those missing.

At the same time, Mabuyane has admitted that the province is severely under-resourced as extreme weather continues to wreak havoc.

Speaking to the SABC, he highlighted the urgent need for more helicopters, K9 units, and localised emergency services in disaster-prone areas.

He told the SABC that there is currently only one SAPS helicopter servicing the entire province.

You know listening to Oscar Mabuyane discuss all the crippling challenges plaguing the Eastern Cape, it’s easy to forget that he’s actually the premier of the province! Zero political accountability and way forward on what is to be done here. The man sounds overwhelmed yaz. 😭😭 https://t.co/Ui2F0Sk8S4

— Prof Mlamuli Hlatshwayo (@MlamuliSA) June 11, 2025

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced he will be visiting Mthatha on Friday to give support to the families.

“We pay our condolences to the families that have lost loved ones in the flood disaster. We must ensure that we build much-needed capacity to effectively manage disasters in the long term.”

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa is visiting flood-affected communities in and around Mthatha today, to assess the impact.

“As government, we have descended to the Eastern Cape in Mthatha to give our support and ensure that when the people are in a difficult situation, government is not absent. That’s why at the national level, two Ministers are on the ground.”