Weeks of relentless rain have pushed Limpopo into one of its worst flood crises in
years, forcing government to declare the situation a national disaster as deaths,
infrastructure damage and displacement continue to rise.
On January 17, the National Disaster Management Centre classified the floods affecting
Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and North West as a national
disaster after assessing the impact of severe weather that began in late December
2025.
The storms brought heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding that caused loss of life,
destruction of property and infrastructure, and disruption of basic services.
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba said the declaration came at a crucial time, as
the real scale of the damage was only becoming visible.
“This classification has come at the right time when the extent of the damage to our
infrastructure is becoming visible to all, access to some areas slowly opening. We need
all the assistance we can get to rebuild Limpopo after this devastating floods,” she said.
According to provincial reports, at least 11 people have lost their lives in Limpopo since
December, with many incidents linked to people attempting to cross flooded roads,
rivers and low-lying bridges. Mopani and Vhembe districts have been among the
hardest hit.
The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety has warned that several
of the deaths were caused by people taking risks during floods.
MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye urged residents to stop
underestimating the danger of floodwater.
“We are deeply concerned about the loss of lives reported in Mopani and Vhembe. We
urge motorists and pedestrians to refrain from crossing flooded roads and low-lying
bridges.
“No destination is worth a human life. Floodwaters are unpredictable and can easily
sweep away both people and vehicles,” she said.
Traffic officers and disaster management teams have been deployed across the
province to close unsafe roads, assist stranded communities and monitor conditions.
Road users have been advised to obey closure signs, reduce speed, use alternative
routes and take special care of pedestrians and schoolchildren in flood-prone areas.
Beyond the immediate danger on the roads, the floods have left thousands without
secure shelter.
The Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane sent an emergency housing team to
Limpopo and Mpumalanga on January 16 to assess damage caused by heavy rains.
More than 1 500 households have already been identified as affected, with the majority
in Limpopo.
Teams from national and provincial departments are physically verifying damaged
homes to determine what type of help is needed. Assistance may include temporary
housing, rebuilding, repairs or relocation.
In Mpumalanga, early assessments showed that some families living below the flood
line would need to be moved because their homes are no longer safe.
While emergency teams focus on saving lives and restoring basic services, local
government leaders are warning that the floods point to a deeper crisis linked to climate
change and weak disaster systems.
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) said the growing number of
floods, fires and storms shows that the country’s disaster management system is
struggling to keep up with changing climate risks.
SALGA spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said slow progress in reviewing the disaster
management system despite a Cabinet directive in 2022 has left municipalities relying
on outdated and inadequate systems.
“These events highlight the rapidly increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related
disasters and expose the limitations of the current disaster management system,” he
said.
SALGA has called for urgent reforms, including stronger early-warning systems linked
to South African Weather Service alerts, modernised disaster policies aligned with the
Climate Change Act, and sustainable funding for municipal preparedness.
The association has also urged municipalities to activate joint operating committees and
communicate quickly with communities when warnings are issued. – news@mukurukuru.co.za
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