Relentless rainfall has turned rivers and streams across Mpumalanga into deadly traps, prompting police to issue an urgent warning to communities after three people died and another remains missing in separate flood-related incidents across the province.
Provincial SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said all the incidents were recorded between January 1.
He explained that in one case, a 19-year-old teenage boy had been drinking with his two brothers at a tavern in Louisville on the evening of January 1 before deciding to walk home alone.
“It is believed that while trying to cross a river, he was overwhelmed by strong water currents due to heavy rainfall and was swept away,” Ndubane said.
He added that the teenager’s body was discovered the following day, January 2, at around 11:30 by community members and relatives.
“He was positively identified by his uncle, and EMS certified him deceased,” he said.
Ndubane said a second incident was reported later that same night, at about 23:00 on January 1, along Lilly Mine Road. He explained that a red-and-blue Toyota Condor carrying two men and a woman was swept away by floodwaters while attempting to cross a bridge.
“The two male occupants managed to escape from the vehicle, but the female occupant could not,” Ndubane said.
He added that her body was found on the morning of January 2 and that, “EMS certified her deceased on the scene, and she was positively identified by her next of kin.”
Ndubane further detailed two additional incidents that occurred on January 1.
He said that at about 19:20, Middelburg police opened an inquest after a teenage girl drowned while trying to cross to a newly built RDP house with a group of other teenagers.
“Police divers and the Fire Department responded to the scene, but the girl was certified deceased on arrival,” Ndubane said, adding that her body was taken by Forensic Pathology Services for further investigation.
In a fourth incident, Ndubane said a 27-year-old man was swept away at around 18:00 while attempting to cross a submerged bridge between Nhlaba and the Manaar area in Ekulindeni.
“Despite efforts by community members to search for him, he has not been found and remains missing,” he said, adding that the Mpumalanga SAPS Diving Unit would continue with search and recovery operations.
Meanwhile, Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, urged members of the public to exercise extreme caution and never underestimate flowing water, as persistent rainfall has caused rivers and streams to remain full.
He warned that flood-related incidents are increasing and called on communities to remain vigilant and avoid crossing flooded rivers and bridges.
The Star
