Latest news with #Mabuyane
News24
23-06-2025
- Business
- News24
SANDF members arrested for murder; New coach for Pirates: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. Mabuyane's 34-day leave irks locals, as death toll reaches 100 after deadly floods - Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has taken 34 days of leave for 'family commitments' while the province mourns 100 flood victims. - Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko has been sworn in as acting premier as search-and-recovery operations continue in Mthatha. - Mabuyane's leave has sparked mixed reactions from locals, with some questioning the timing given the recent deadly floods. Supplied/Hawks Soldiers accused of killing Hawks officer charged with 2 other murders - Twelve SANDF members appeared in court for the 2023 murder of Hawks officer Lieutenant Colonel Ngwako Frans Mathipa. - The accused face additional charges of murder, kidnapping, theft, fraud, and obstruction of justice. The case was postponed to 1 July for a bail application, which the State will oppose. DERAILED | Former Prasa bosses control companies banking millions from R7.5bn tender heyday - Former Prasa executives are directors in companies like Armtech, KNPC, and TMHA, accused of defrauding Prasa of millions through inflated prices and substandard work. - A forensic report revealed that these entities overcharged Prasa by as much as 2000%, with some delivering faulty work or billing for work not done. - Despite Prasa paying billions to these contractors, the refurbished trains are often discarded and left to rot in depots. Supplied/amaBhungane amaBhungane | Lottery jackpot: Mashatile's family tied to new multibillion-rand operator deal - Deputy President Paul Mashatile's sister-in-law, Khumo Bogatsu, co-owns Bellamont Gaming, a shareholder of Sizekhaya Holdings, which won the fourth national lottery licence. - The awarding of the lottery licence to Sizekhaya has raised concerns about political interference due to Bogatsu's relationship with Mashatile and businessman Moses Tembe's close ties to the deputy president. - Sizekhaya and Mashatile's office deny any political influence in the awarding of the licence, stating that the process was compliant with the Lotteries Act and that Mashatile did not participate in the decision. Getty Images/THEGIFT777 Flying blind: Airlines hit by failing navigation systems and poor airport upkeep - Airlines are concerned about the lack of infrastructure maintenance at South African airports, with some equipment not fully functional since the pandemic. - ACSA says it has earmarked over R21 billion for capital investment into airports by 2027/28, with some refurbishment projects already under way. - Delays and increasing costs are also attributed to standard departure operating systems not being fully operational by the Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS). Kabelo Leputu/Gallo Images Orlando Pirates announce former Moroccan international as new head coach - Orlando Pirates have appointed Abdeslam Ouaddou as their new head coach, replacing Jose Riveiro. - Ouaddou, a former Morocco international with 68 caps, brings extensive playing and tactical experience. - He will be assisted by Mandla Ncikazi, Rayaan Jacobs, Helmi Gueldich, and Tyron Damons, with pre-season starting on 27 June. Show Comments ()
IOL News
20-06-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
Over 400 schools and 1,400 classrooms damaged in EC floods
The death toll following the devastating floods in Eastern Cape currently stands at 92 and is expected to keeping rising and search and rescue efforts continue. Image: OR Tambo District Municipality MORE than 400 schools and 1400 classrooms have been damaged in the recent floods which devastated large parts of the Eastern Cape. The floods have claimed the lives of 92 people, affecting more than 4 300 people, according to Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane. He said 48341 learners were also affected following the damage in 413 schools. In his keynote address during the provincial day of mourning in Mthatha on Thursday, Mabuyane said significant progress had been made in the restoration of critical infrastructure, particularly water supply systems. Full restoration is anticipated across all affected areas on Friday. Authorities had been criticised by community members for its slow disaster response. Mabuyane said the latest events were a lesson that 'it is no longer enough to react to disasters'. 'There are many lessons we must all learn from this kind of tragedy. However, today I want to highlight the reality of climate change. Therefore, it is no longer enough to react to disasters. We must prepare for them and prevent them where possible,' Mabuyane said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He cautioned that the funds dedicated to repair the damage should not be seen as a 'get rich quick scheme'. 'Our collective immediate task is to work with families to ensure that the souls we lost in this tragedy are buried with dignity. After that we work together to start the rebuilding process in the affected communities. This tragedy should not and will not be used as a get rich quick scheme. Any funds dedicated to it will be used prudently to help our people rebuild their lives.' Gift of the Givers said things were much 'calmer' following alleged extortion attempts on their teams distributing water in Mthatha. They called on the community to help find the vehicle allegedly involved in the incident. 'We need that person arrested. This is a message to all the water mafia: that we will take you on wherever you are because Gift of the Givers is not afraid of anyone. We have the support of the government, the SAPS, the SANDF, and above all we have the support of the communities and the municipalities when it comes to assisting people in dire need, as is the case now in Mthatha and the Eastern Cape. This kind of heinous behaviour has to stop. Profiteering off the hardship of people has to stop,' the humanitarian organisation said. CAPE TIMES
The Star
19-06-2025
- Climate
- The Star
South Africa's Eastern Cape holds Day of Mourning as flood death toll reaches 92
CAPE TOWN, June 19 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Eastern Cape Province observed a provincial Day of Mourning on Thursday to honor the victims of last week's devastating floods, with the death toll rising to 92. The memorial service, held at King Sabatha Dalindyebo Technical and Vocational Education and Training College in Mthatha, brought together government officials and community members to pay tribute to those who lost their lives and extend condolences to grieving families. "Currently, the number of people who lost their lives following the adverse weather conditions stands at 92 across the Eastern Cape and this includes a body of a teenage girl discovered along the Mthatha River early this evening," according to a statement issued on Wednesday night by the Eastern Cape Provincial Government. Mthatha, located in the OR Tambo District Municipality, remains the hardest-hit area across the province, and authorities have warned that the death toll may continue to rise, it said. "Our collective immediate task is to work with families to ensure that the 92 souls we lost in this tragedy are buried with dignity," Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane said at the memorial service. "After that, we work together to start the rebuilding process in the affected communities." According to the premier, more than 4,300 people have been affected by the floods, with 4,229 households destroyed and another 1,963 sustaining partial roof damage. Meanwhile, a total of 413 schools have sustained damage, affecting 1,471 classrooms and disrupting education for approximately 48,341 learners, he said, noting that "we have not listed damaged roads, bridges, hospitals, and water infrastructure but for now we estimate the damage at 4 billion South African rand (about 220 million U.S. dollars)." Mabuyane also warned that the recent disaster must serve as a wake-up call. "There are many lessons we must all learn from this kind of tragedy. However, today I want to highlight the reality of climate change," he said. "It is no longer enough to react to disasters. We must prepare for them and prevent them where possible." "As the people of the Eastern Cape, we carry the resilience of centuries, the warmth of Ubuntu, and the stubborn hope that always gets us through difficulties. Together, we will come out of this tragedy not just standing, but walking forward with purpose," he concluded.
Nahar Net
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Nahar Net
Death toll in South Africa floods rises to 57
by Naharnet Newsdesk 12 June 2025, 16:50 The death toll in floods in one of South Africa's poorest provinces rose to 57 on Thursday as a top official said rescue attempts had been "paralyzed" by a lack of resources. Rescue teams are still working through debris and floodwater to find missing people after heavy rain caused a river to burst its banks in the predawn hours of Tuesday. Floods hit the nearby town of Mthatha and surrounding areas, sweeping away victims along with parts of their houses and cars. Oscar Mabuyane, the premier of Eastern Cape province, said the floods struck while many people were asleep. The water was 3-4 meters (10-13 feet) high when it flowed out of a river and into nearby communities, he added. "It's a terrible situation," Mabuyane told state TV broadcaster SABC. "It happened at the wrong time." Mabuyane said local authorities struggled to launch an effective rescue effort as the disaster happened in what he described as a region lacking resources. He said the largely rural Eastern Cape province in southeastern South Africa, which is home to around 7.2 million people, only has one rescue helicopter. It came to Mthatha from the city of Gqeberha, more than 500 kilometers (310 miles) away. He also said the region does not have any specialist rescue divers or K-9 dog units, meaning they had to be called in from elsewhere to help with the search. "When things like this happen, we are always found wanting," said Mabuyane. "We are paralyzed." People were stranded on rooftops and in trees Rescue teams on Wednesday brought bodies out of the water in blue body bags. Witnesses said many people had taken refuge on the tops of buildings or in trees and some were heard calling for help for hours. Provincial government officials previously said they believed people were still missing but did not give an exact number. There was no immediate update on Thursday whether authorities believed all those who were not accounted for had been found. The death toll rose to 57, according to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, who led a national government delegation to the province to visit the scene. "This is a real disaster and a catastrophe when we have so many people dying," Hlabisa said. He added that part of the problem was that many people in the area were living on a flood plain close to the river. The missing had included four high school students who were swept away when their bus was caught up in the floods on its way to school early Tuesday morning. Authorities did not immediately say if those four children were among the latest bodies retrieved. Six students who were on the bus had already been confirmed dead, along with the driver and another adult. Three other students were rescued after clinging onto trees and calling out for help, according to the provincial government. The floods hit the province after an extreme cold front brought heavy rain, strong winds and snow to parts of eastern and southern South Africa. The floods centered on Mthatha and its surrounding district, which is around 430 kilometers (267 miles) south of the east coast city of Durban. Forecasters had warned about the damaging weather last week. Officials said at least 58 schools and 20 hospitals in the Eastern Cape were damaged, while hundreds of families were left homeless after their houses were submerged or washed away. Critical infrastructure including roads and bridges was also badly damaged, Mabuyane said. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he would travel to the Eastern Cape on Friday "to see exactly how our people are suffering there and see how we can console the families." Ramaphosa announced earlier in the week that he had activated the National Disaster Management Center to help local authorities in the Eastern Cape. Some opposition political parties criticized the government, with the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters party saying the tragedy was a result of "government neglect" in parts of the Eastern Cape.
Yomiuri Shimbun
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yomiuri Shimbun
At Least 78 Dead in South Africa Floods as Official Says Rescue Attempts Were ‘Paralyzed'
The Associated Press A relative reacts as bodies of her sister and three daughters were retrieved from inside a one room house, after floods swept through the area in Mthatha, South Africa, Thursday, June 12, 2025. At least 78 dead in South Africa floods as official says rescue attempts were 'paralyzed' By GERALD IMRAY and MICHELLE GUMEDE Associated Press CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The death toll in floods in one of South Africa's poorest provinces rose to at least 78 on Thursday as a top official said rescue attempts in the first hours after the disaster had been 'paralyzed' by a lack of resources. Rescue teams spent a third day working through debris and floodwater to find missing people and retrieve bodies after heavy rain caused a river to burst its banks in the predawn hours of Tuesday. The worst floods hit the town of Mthatha and surrounding areas, sweeping away victims along with parts of their houses and cars. Oscar Mabuyane, the premier of Eastern Cape province, said the floods struck while many people were asleep. The water was 3-4 meters (10-13 feet) high in places when it flowed out of a river and into nearby communities, he added. 'It's a terrible situation,' Mabuyane told state TV broadcaster SABC. 'It happened at the wrong time.' Mabuyane said local authorities struggled to launch an effective rescue effort as the disaster happened in what he described as a region lacking resources. He said the largely rural Eastern Cape province in southeastern South Africa, which is home to around 7.2 million people, only has one rescue helicopter. It came to Mthatha from the city of Gqeberha, more than 500 kilometers (310 miles) away. A second helicopter was also brought in to help. He also said the region does not have any specialist rescue divers or K-9 dog units, meaning they had to be called in from elsewhere to help with the search. 'When things like this happen, we are always found wanting,' said Mabuyane. 'We are paralyzed.' People were stranded on rooftops and in trees Rescue teams brought bodies out of the water in blue body bags. Witnesses said many people had taken refuge on the tops of buildings or in trees and some were heard calling for help for hours. The death toll had risen to 78 by Thursday evening, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa said on SABC. He led a national government delegation to the province and earlier briefed reporters at one of the affected areas. 'This is a real disaster and a catastrophe when we have so many people dying,' Hlabisa said. He added that part of the problem was that many people in the area were living on a flood plain close to the river. Provincial government officials said they believed people were still missing but did not give an exact number and rescue efforts would continue on Friday. The missing had included four high school students who were swept away when their bus was caught up in the floods on its way to school early Tuesday morning. Authorities did not immediately say if those four children were among the latest bodies retrieved. Six students who were on the bus had already been confirmed dead, along with the driver and another adult. Three other students were rescued after clinging onto trees and calling out for help, according to the provincial government. Authorities had issued weather warnings The floods hit the province after an extreme cold front brought heavy rain, strong winds and snow to parts of eastern and southern South Africa. Forecasters had warned about the damaging weather last week. Officials said at least 127 schools and 20 health facilities in the Eastern Cape were damaged, while around 1,000 people were in community shelters after their houses were submerged or washed away. Critical infrastructure including roads and bridges was also badly damaged, Mabuyane said. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he would travel to the Eastern Cape on Friday 'to see exactly how our people are suffering there and see how we can console the families.' Ramaphosa announced earlier in the week that he had activated the National Disaster Management Center to help local authorities in the Eastern Cape. Some opposition political parties criticized the government, with the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters party saying the tragedy was a result of 'government neglect' in parts of the Eastern Cape.
