Nine people killed in Limpopo floods

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has confirmed that nine people have lost their lives as a result of the recent floods across the province. The latest fatality involves a five-year-old child who was swept away by floodwaters in Mbaula village outside Giyani.

Premier Ramathuba said preliminary assessments estimate infrastructure damage at more than R4 billion, with roads accounting for a significant portion of the losses.

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Severely affected routes include the R527 (Hoedspruit), R40 (Maseke Game Reserve), R71 (Gravelotte–Phalaborwa), R36 (The Oaks–Ofcolaco), R578 (Selwana Road near Makhuva), R526 (R40 intersection–Gravelotte) and R529 (Greater Letaba Bridge–Eiland Road).

The R71 towards Phalaborwa and parts of the R40 around Phalaborwa remain closed due to extensive damage. An estimated R1.7 billion is required for road repairs, with further assessments still underway.

More than 1 600 homes have been damaged, many of them completely washed away. Several houses remain submerged, with dangerously high water levels threatening their structural integrity.

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The education sector has also been impacted, with 31 schools damaged so far, a number expected to increase as assessments continue.

In Mopani, seven hospitals and 19 clinics have reported infrastructure challenges. In Vhembe, Tswinga, De Hoop, Duvhuledza and Tshipise clinics are currently inaccessible, while Elim Hospital has suffered serious roof leaks.

While in Waterberg, storm damage has been reported at Warmbaths, Ellisras, FH Odendaal and Mokopane hospitals, with repair costs estimated at R7 million.

Libraries across several districts have also sustained damage, estimated at R12 million. Disaster management teams remain on high alert as recovery and assessment efforts continue across Limpopo.