Emergency services remain on high alert in Mpumalanga and Limpopo this weekend, where the highest Level 10 weather warning is still in place, despite conditions easing in some areas.
The death toll from flooding in the two provinces had risen to 19 as search-and-recovery operations continue amid relentless rain and widespread destruction. Emergency teams, yesterday, were still combing affected areas for missing victims.
In Limpopo, a joint search-and-recovery operation led by provincial emergency services, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and police has been under way along rivers adjacent to homes destroyed by floodwaters. The mission was temporarily called off yesterday but is expected to resume today.
Personnel were deployed, using boats and a helicopter to search submerged areas. Emergency officials said they have so far been unable to find a five-year-old boy who was swept away during the floods.
In a TV news bulletin, Kwena Mabotja, a representative from Limpopo Emergency Services, stated that search teams will continue looking for the missing five-year-old.
Emergency services were also faced with multiple rescue missions across the two provinces. One involved workers trapped in an area that became inaccessible by road due to flooding. About 35 workers, who had run out of food and were relying on a generator, were evacuated by air, said Mabotja.
This also includes the search for the missing five-year-old child, whose mother was airlifted to safety
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) said the scale of damage was extensive, affecting numerous communities and destroying critical infrastructure.
NDMC head Dr Elias Sithole said national authorities were working closely with provinces and municipalities to coordinate disaster response efforts.
“The scale of the damage is huge,” Sithole said. “A lot of communities have been affected, and significant infrastructure has been destroyed.”
He said a memorandum of understanding signed with the SANDF in 2024 was proving effective, allowing for faster deployment of helicopters and improved coordination during rescue missions.
Sithole said it was too early to confirm how many people had been rescued, as operations were ongoing.
“We can’t say at this stage how many people have been rescued because this is an ongoing mission. A significant number of people have been assisted, and once the information has been consolidated, we will be able to indicate how many people have been rescued,” he said.
Mpumalanga remains under a Level 10 alert, the highest warning level, with more rain expected. Sithole warned that further rescues may be required if conditions worsen, although flooding in other areas has begun to subside.
Evacuations, however, remain a challenge.
Sithole said many residents were reluctant to leave their homes, fearing they would lose their belongings.
“This is something we’ve seen in previous disasters,” he said. “People are afraid that if they leave, they won’t find their property when they return. We need stronger awareness campaigns and better coordination with security services to make evacuations safer.”
The Mpumalanga MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) echoed these concerns, saying many families refused to evacuate despite homes being submerged.
“I’ve met families in areas where houses are under water, and many are not willing to move,” the MEC said. “It poses a serious challenge to assisting them.”
The MEC also raised concerns about poor road infrastructure, saying badly designed roads were contributing to flooding by directing water into residential areas rather than away from homes.
Meanwhile, Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba Flooding in Limpopo has caused widespread devastation, with damage estimates exceeding R4 billion as assessments continue. More than 1 600 homes have been damaged or destroyed, 31 schools have been affected - forcing the delayed reopening of about 1 400 schools - and critical infrastructure including roads, bridges, health facilities and electricity and water systems has been severely hit. Roads alone are expected to require about R1.7 billion in repairs, with the province acknowledging it cannot manage the scale of destruction without national government support. Clinics and hospitals across all districts have been impacted, agricultural losses are mounting, and emergency shelters, food parcels and airlift operations remain in place as authorities warn of further rainfall and continued risk to vulnerable communities.
Community members who spoke to the Saturday Star shared firsthand accounts of the devastation. Ndivhuwo Tshisaphungo from Hamakuya village, Vhembe District, said: “Heavy downpours began on Saturday the 10th and continued until Wednesday the 14th. As a result, schools have not been able to reopen as scheduled due to heavy rainfall and flooding.”
She added that residents were cut off from essential services. “On Monday and Tuesday this week, residents were unable to travel to Thohoyandou or access medical care because the road connecting Thohoyandou and Masisi, commonly known as the R524, was flooded, with water levels rising above the bridge.”
Tsebo Mashatola, another resident from Bolobedu South spoke about the severity of the damage. “I can vehemently assure you that roads have been damaged, including bridges that people use daily. So far it’s only a few houses that have collapsed at Semarela and Khihleni villages, but the ward committee has assisted the families with food and shelters through the greater Tzaneen municipality and SASSA structures.”
Kruger National Park has also temporarily suspended day visits due to heavy rainfall affecting Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Earlier this week, several visitors were unable to exit the park after a bridge at Crocodile Bridge Gate was submerged, but all were safely managed by authorities.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has joined calls for the immediate declaration of a State of Disaster, rallying behind communities devastated by the recent floods.
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star