Two swept away while crossing separate rivers in Limpopo

Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) MEC in Limpopo Basikopo Makamu has urged residents to avoid crossing rivers and dams after two people were swept away in the Mopani District. 

The two people died in separate incidents on Monday, 13 February. 

TWO SWEPT AWAY IN LIMPOPO RIVERS 

According to the department, in the first incident, a 59-year-old male attempting to cross the Selati River and a Grade 11 learner swimming in the Mmaba River were reported drowned, and their bodies were retrieved. 

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Makamu has since urged people who stay in villages or low-lying areas close to rivers and streams to take extra precautions. 

“We plead with our people to avoid flooded rivers. Whether walking or driving, it is always safe to wait out these heavy rains and flooded rivers before engaging with them in any way,” Makamu said. 

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GOVERNMENT DECLARES STATE OF DISASTER

On Monday, 13 February, the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre, Dr Elias Sithole, said the decision to declare a disaster was made after deliberations with provincial disaster management centres and assessing the magnitude and severity of the impact of the flooding in Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West.

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Last week, a cut-off low pressure system developed and lingered over the interior of South Africa. The heavy rains that followed resulted in the loss of life, missing persons, and damage to property, infrastructure and the environment, Sithole said.

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