Mpumalanga has recorded 20 fatalities, while 17 people have died in Limpopo, where incidents of drowning continue to emerge from Phalaborwa, Giyani and the Thohoyandou areas.
The storms have caused widespread destruction, damaging homes, roads and bridges across both provinces and leaving several communities cut off. Limpopo Disaster Management Centre spokesperson Tsakani Baloyi said the province welcomed the declaration of a national disaster in flood‑stricken regions, noting that the additional support would strengthen ongoing response efforts.
Limpopo’s Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs MEC, Basikopo Makamu, expressed deep sadness at the rising number of fatalities linked to the severe weather. He noted that the most affected areas include the Mopani, Vhembe, Waterberg and parts of the Sekhukhune districts.
Makamu conveyed his condolences to the families of the 17 people who lost their lives in Limpopo and extended sympathy to the affected communities. Search and rescue teams, disaster personnel and local authorities continue to monitor high‑risk zones as rainfall persists.
–SABC/ChannelAfrica–
