‘Swept Away’: Four Bodies Recovered After Vehicle Overturns in Limpopo River

Four people are dead after the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away at an overflowing bridge in Limpopo.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning, 8 March 2026, along the Madiga and Makotopong gravel road, where the Makotopong River had flooded the crossing.

The Incident

According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, a blue Renault Kwid carrying five occupants allegedly overturned at the overflowing bridge and was swept into the river.

One occupant managed to escape and alerted police and emergency personnel.

The Search

The Provincial Search and Rescue team responded immediately.

On Sunday, the body of Lebapa Petrus Mochitele, 27, of Madiga Village, was recovered from the water. Emergency services certified him dead at the scene.

Search operations continued on Monday, 9 March, involving:

• SAPS Water Wing Unit

• EMS Search and Rescue

• Fire and Rescue Department

• EMS helicopter

During the operation, the submerged vehicle was located, and three additional bodies were recovered.

The Victims

Police identified the deceased as:

• Seobi Dikgale, 33

• Betty Makokoane, 22

• Shellote Dikgale, 30

All were from Madiga Village.

The Response

Limpopo Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, applauded the efforts of the rescue teams.

She also conveyed her condolences to the affected families.

The Bottom Line

A gravel road. An overflowing bridge. A small car. Five people, four lives lost.

One survivor will carry the weight of this tragedy forever. Four families will mourn. And another community will ask: could this have been prevented?