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Limpopo floods leave 22 dead as rescue teams search for the missing
A province under water and in mourning
The sound of rushing rivers has become a symbol of heartbreak across Limpopo this month. What began as heavy seasonal rain has turned deadly, with the confirmed death toll now standing at 22 as search teams continue to look for seven people who remain missing.
According to the provincial Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, the most recent tragedies unfolded over the weekend in Waterberg and Sekhukhune. These were not isolated incidents but part of a growing pattern of drownings linked to swollen rivers, flooded streams, and unsafe conditions across the province.
Children among the latest victims
In Waterberg’s Marulaneng village, a 16-year-old boy lost his life on Friday while swimming with friends. Less than a day later, in Sekhukhune’s Elias Motsoaledi Municipality, two seven-year-old boys drowned in a river between Luckau and Legolaneng villages. Community members joined rescue teams in searching the affected areas, hoping for different outcomes that never came.
During these operations, two additional bodies were recovered elsewhere in Limpopo. A 15-year-old boy was found in the Selati River near Mashishimale outside Ba Phalaborwa, while a 48-year-old man who had been missing since 18 January was located near Nghomunghomu village close to Malamulele. Their deaths brought the provincial total to 22.
Warnings ignored as danger escalates
COGHSTA MEC Basikopo Makamu has expressed deep concern that safety warnings are not being taken seriously, even as conditions worsen.
He has again urged parents to keep children away from rivers and dams, stressing that this is not a safe time for swimming. His message has echoed widely on local radio stations and social media platforms, where residents have shared frustration, grief, and anger at the repeated loss of life. Many online commenters have called for stronger community-level interventions, while others point to a lack of safe recreational spaces for children in rural areas.
A national conversation on disaster readiness
The Limpopo floods have also reignited debate around South Africa’s preparedness for climate-related disasters. Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, following visits to flood-affected areas in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, has called for a nationwide disaster planning framework rather than province-by-province responses.
Speaking in Bushbuckridge, she warned that poor planning and limited access to suitable land are delaying emergency housing relief for displaced families. She emphasised the need for proactive planning that takes weather projections and population growth into account.
Mpumalanga MEC Speed Mashilo supported this call, noting that weather forecasts already provide clear warnings about heavy rainfall during summer months. Both leaders have committed to reviewing human settlements grants to help repair damaged roads, sewer systems, and stormwater infrastructure in an effort to reduce the impact of future floods.
Rescue efforts continue as rains persist
Additional rescue personnel from the National Disaster Management Centre have now been deployed to Limpopo. Authorities continue to urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from swollen rivers, and never attempt to cross flooded streams.
For many families, the waiting continues, marked by uncertainty and grief. As climate-driven weather events become more frequent and intense, the Limpopo floods stand as a sobering reminder that early warnings, community awareness, and long-term planning can no longer be optional.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: United Democratic Movement
