Four boys who became trapped by heavy floodwaters while fishing in the Mthatha River in the Eastern Cape were rescued by police and emergency services at approximately 23:00 on Tuesday night.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana confirmed that the boys were fishing in the Gqubeni locality in Mqanduli when rising floodwaters left them stranded on an island-like section of the river.
“Four boys who were busy fishing on Tuesday, 27/10 in the Mthatha River flowing in Gqubeni locality – Mqanduli, find themselves trapped by heavy floods as they were in an island-like river feature,” Gantana said.
The Mthatha K9 Search and Rescue team and Emergency Medical Services were summoned to assist with the operation.
Gantana confirmed that all four boys were rescued at approximately 23:00.
“The Mthatha K9 Search and Rescue team and Emergency Medical Services were summoned which led to the rescue of all the four boys at about 23H00,” confirmed Gantana.
The incident comes amid concerns about flooding in the Eastern Cape, where heavy rainfall has previously caused rivers to overflow, damaged infrastructure and placed communities at risk.
In June 2025, devastating floods affected Mthatha and surrounding communities, claiming dozens of lives and leaving homes and roads damaged.
In the Slovo Park area of Mthatha, residents were trapped on rooftops and in trees as floodwaters rose. A school principal from nearby Mqanduli was also rescued after his vehicle was swept into a river.
The previous disaster highlighted the dangers posed by rapidly rising water levels, particularly in communities situated near rivers and other waterways.
The latest rescue serves as a reminder of the risks associated with fishing and other activities near rivers during heavy rainfall.
Residents are urged to avoid entering flooded rivers or attempting to cross waterways when water levels are rising.
