Deadly floods sweep through Limpopo: 36 homes destroyed, child among victims

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba will provide an update on the prevailing state of disaster in the province following severe flooding that has destroyed over 30 homes in the Mopani District. 

The briefing is scheduled for 11am on Friday at the EXCO boardroom, Office of the Premier, Mowaneng Building.

Provincial government spokesperson Ndavhe Ramakuela said Ramathuba’s briefing follows continuous heavy rainfall that has caused widespread flooding and damage to infrastructure across several districts, particularly Vhembe and Mopani, as well as parts of Waterberg, Sekhukhune and Capricorn.

President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed on Thursday that at least 36 houses have been destroyed in Mopani, one of the hardest-hit areas. 

He visited the province with Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Ramathuba to assess the damage caused by nearly a week of heavy rainfall.

At least one child has died. 

Limpopo police said search and rescue teams, together with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and Emergency Medical Services, were deployed to Mbaula village outside Giyani to search for a five-year-old boy reported missing on Thursday morning.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said preliminary reports indicate the child disappeared around 6am after his mother tried to flee their flooded home with him. 

“It is alleged that both the mother and the child were swept away by the floods,” Mashaba said. 

“The mother was fortunately trapped by a tree and rescued by SANDF members, while the child could not be located.”

Ramaphosa described the damage as catastrophic. 

“We started in the Vhembe district, where we saw how a number of houses were flooded and how people lost their possessions due to the heavy rains,” he said. 

“In Mopani it is even worse. Right here where we are, 36 houses have been wiped away from the face of the earth. Everything is gone - roofs, walls and furniture - and one five-year-old child has also passed away.”

Ramaphosa said the provincial government was still assessing the full extent of the damage. 

“The premier informed me that they are collating information on people who have gone missing or passed away, as well as damage to households, roads and bridges. Once that process is completed, the details will be announced,” he said.

Ramaphosa also praised the SANDF and community members for their rescue efforts. 

“A number of lives that could have been lost were saved. We are grateful to ordinary people, the SANDF and traditional leaders who assisted. One traditional leader and his family also had to be rescued, and we are thankful they survived.”

The SANDF has deployed helicopters to evacuate people stranded by rising water levels. 

Search and rescue teams from the South African Air Force’s 17 and 19 squadrons responded to an emergency activation from the Air Force Command Post. 

Three helicopters from bases in Pretoria and Hoedspruit were deployed to flood-affected areas, with operations beginning late on January 14 and continuing into the early hours of January 15.

Rescue efforts included evacuating a family from Mbaula village, where residents reported others had already been saved from rooftops and trees. 

A family member was rescued from a tree along the flooded Olifants River, and a local chief was also evacuated from the roof of his home. 

The SANDF said those needing medical attention were transported to Maphutha Hospital near Phalaborwa.

An Oryx helicopter was sent to rescue Border Management Authority and South African Police Service members stranded by water at the Phafuri port of entry, while an Agusta A109 helicopter hoisted 18 people to safety from the flooded Khambaku Lodge outside Phalaborwa.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a red Level 10 warning for Limpopo for January 15 and 16. 

Limpopo MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Basikopo Makamu said, "This inclement weather could lead to continued heavy downpours over parts of Limpopo.”

He warned that Ba-Phalaborwa, Chabane, Greater Giyani, Greater Letaba, Greater Tzaneen and Maruleng municipalities could be affected.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News