Heavy rains caused extensive damage across the province.
The Limpopo Executive Council met urgently to discuss the serious flooding situation affecting the province.
This meeting comes after the declaration of a national state of disaster due to severe rain and windstorms, first noted on 13 November 2024 and reiterated on 12 January 2025.
The province is facing unprecedented challenges as heavy rains and strong winds have caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Many families are now homeless or living in damaged houses, with roofs blown off, windows shattered, and personal belongings ruined. The situation has worsened with hailstorms and flash floods affecting vital facilities, including schools, clinics, roads, and bridges.
One district particularly affected is Waterberg, where Witpoort Hospital experienced significant flooding from the Phalala River. As a result, patients had to be evacuated to nearby Ellisras Hospital. The ongoing rains have hampered full assessments of the damage, but reports indicate a troubling situation: over 352 houses, 108 schools, 412 roads, 7 clinics, and 19 bridges have been damaged. Sadly, the floods have also resulted in 14 drowning incidents and 6 injuries.
In response to this crisis, the Limpopo Provincial Government has begun providing immediate relief. Emergency shelters have been secured and distributed to those in need. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is supplying food parcels to eligible victims, while Gift of the Givers is also assisting with food relief efforts. Local municipalities have been given blankets to distribute to affected families, and the National Department of Human Settlements has supplied building materials for repairing 29 houses in Mamatlakala village.
Looking to the future, the Executive Council has recognised the necessity for long-term solutions to this ongoing crisis. Assessments are being conducted to identify which families will qualify for permanent housing support, and there is an urgent need to begin the reconstruction of damaged public infrastructure.
The Council has begun the process of applying for additional funding to address the January 2025 disaster, following an earlier request for R850 million to cover damages from the October 2024 flooding.
Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba urged residents to be patient as the government works through the challenges. “Members of the Executive Council will be touring the province to assess the extent of the damage. Our first concern is to help areas cut off due to damaged bridges or roads. After that, we will focus on repairing infrastructure like roads, schools, and clinics,” she explained.
“While we wait for the National Disaster Management Centre’s response to our funding request, the Provincial Treasury will review departmental expenditure reports to find quick funding for urgent recovery efforts,” the Premier added.
The Executive Council has also directed the Office of the Premier to develop a framework aimed at boosting the province’s ability to respond to future disasters. This new task team will focus on reviewing resources, structures, funding, and the establishment of a disaster response unit.
The Executive Council urges all residents to stay safe and follow warnings from the South African Weather Service regarding the ongoing severe weather conditions, reminding everyone that their safety is paramount in these difficult times.