President Cyril Ramaphosa visited grieving families after floods in Mthatha killed schoolchildren and destroyed roads, bridges, and homes this week. The government has declared a state of disaster in four provinces to fast-track help and has promised urgent support for affected communities.

Parts of South Africa were lashed by heavy rain and snow since the weekend, in a severe winter cold front that disrupted transport and power networks as well as causing intense flooding. The death toll stood at 49 on Wednesday.