Two children drown in separate Limpopo incidents as severe flooding batters province
Floods have killed nine people and left thousands of families homeless across Limpopo.
Image: SA Government/ X
Police in Limpopo have opened inquest dockets following the drowning deaths of two young children in separate incidents, as the province continues to grapple with the devastating effects of recent flooding caused by relentless rainfall.
The South African Police Service confirmed that officers in Thohoyandou are investigating the death of a six-year-old girl who drowned on Saturday afternoon in Tshilapfene village.
According to preliminary information, the child was walking to a local shop with other children at about 2 pm when she attempted to cross the Gobe River.
She was swept away by fast-flowing water, while the other children managed to cross safely.
A search was launched by parents and community members, and the child was later found drowned.
Police were called to the scene, and Emergency Medical Services declared her dead.
An inquest docket has been registered, and the child’s identity has not been released.
In a separate incident earlier in the week, police in Giyani were called to Nkomo Village 22B on the evening of January 15, where they discovered the body of a two-year-old boy.
Initial investigations indicate that the toddler fell into a pit toilet that was filled with water and drowned. An inquest has also been opened in that case.
The incidents come amid widespread flooding in Limpopo and neighbouring Mpumalanga, following days of unusually heavy rainfall that has caused rivers to overflow, damaged infrastructure and displaced thousands of residents.
At least nine people have died in Limpopo as a result of the floods, including a five-year-old child, while close to 2,000 homes have been damaged.
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba described the situation as unprecedented, saying some areas recorded up to 400 millimetres of rain over just a few days.
Emergency teams are assessing flood damage in parts of Limpopo after days of heavy rainfall, as the South African Weather Service maintains a Level 10 warning for disruptive rainfall across high-risk areas.
Image: Limpopo LEDET
Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe urged residents to exercise extreme caution during the ongoing wet weather.
She warned communities not to attempt crossing rivers or overflowing streams and called on parents and guardians to keep a constant watch over children, particularly during periods of heavy rain and flooding.
Police said investigations into both drowning incidents are continuing.