Eastern Cape

Farmers in the Kouga Municipality are assessing major crop and property damage after severe flooding hit the Gamtoos River Valley last week. The event, part of a national disaster declaration across several provinces, left more than 300 people displaced but caused no reported deaths. Recovery efforts are now underway as water levels at the Kouga Dam begin to recede.

May 07, 2026 Reported by AI

Heavy rains pushed the Kouga Dam to 119.2 percent capacity on Thursday morning, sending water over the spillway at a rate of 2.2 million litres per second. The sudden rise from 32 percent the day before forced evacuations in the Gamtoos River valley and flooded farms in the Eastern Cape.

Police and soldiers confiscated mandrax, dagga, and an undisclosed amount of cash during house raids in Gqeberha on the first day of a crime-fighting operation in the Eastern Cape. Nearly 300 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers have been deployed to the province as part of Operation Prosper to tackle organised crime.

March 28, 2026 Reported by AI

ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi has dismissed a circulating resignation letter as fake. The letter claimed he was stepping down due to a lack of organisational discipline. Ngcukayithobi confirmed to SABC News that he remains in his position.

Residents in the Zingcuka location of Kieskammahoek, Eastern Cape, have protested against ongoing water shortages by blocking access to their village and shutting off valves from the Sandile Dam. They accuse local municipalities of neglect over the past four months. The Amathole District Municipality attributes the disruptions to recent infrastructure issues and power failures.

February 25, 2026 Reported by AI

The Eastern Cape Department of Health is dealing with about R1-billion in unpaid bills to pharmaceutical companies, leading to the suspension of 21 accounts and shortages of vital medicines. Officials maintain that there is no widespread collapse in service delivery, but concerns over patient safety persist. Mitigation efforts include alternative sourcing and engagement with national authorities.