The death toll from recent flooding in South Africa’s Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces has risen to 38, as authorities step up emergency housing and relief efforts for affected communities.
The Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, said fatalities in Limpopo increased from 17 to 18, while Mpumalanga recorded 20 deaths, with six people still missing in Limpopo. She disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Days of intense rainfall triggered the floods, destroying or damaging thousands of homes across the two provinces. According to Simelane, 1,942 houses have so far been recorded as damaged in Limpopo and 1,808 in Mpumalanga, cautioning that the figures may rise as assessments continue.
She explained that ongoing severe weather conditions and difficult terrain in parts of Limpopo have slowed verification and relief operations, but stressed that the verification process remains central to the government’s response. This, she noted, determines the level of damage and the type of emergency housing support each affected household will receive.
Despite the ongoing assessments, Simelane said assistance has already begun for households that have been verified.
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The federal government is implementing a two-phase emergency housing plan for displaced residents. The first phase involves the provision of Temporary Emergency Accommodation for people currently sheltering in mass care centres and evacuation sites. The second phase will include the deployment of Temporary Residential Units, with allocations planned for Mbaula, Bushbuckridge, Blouberg and Makhado.
Simelane said she would join the Human Settlements MECs of Limpopo and Mpumalanga over the next two days to monitor the rollout and ensure affected communities receive timely support.
She also expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and commended local communities and organisations for supporting residents who have been displaced or lost their livelihoods due to the floods.
