Ekurhuleni search and rescue team returns after Vhembe floods
The two provinces heavily stricken by massive downpours in the past several weeks, causing extensive infrastructural damage, loss of lives and leaving thousands without shelters.
City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) warmly welcomed the Technical Rescue Technicians (TRT) team back home from a search, rescue and recovery mission in Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo Province.
This follows the heavy downpours in the past several weeks in that region.
The team, made up of seven members specialising in swift water rescue, was deployed as part of the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre.
Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces have been stricken by massive downpours in the past several weeks, causing extensive infrastructural damage, loss of lives and leaving thousands without shelter.
Just like the two provinces, Mozambique, as a neighbouring country, experienced the same fate as the two provinces.
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Two of the CoE technicians were among the first team deployed to Limpopo in the Vhembe District on January 21.
The second team, made up of seventeen members, of which five of them were from CoE, were deployed on January 25 to assist in Mozambique.
In Limpopo, the team arrived on January 21 and started search operations the next day.
Tswinga, as a village, was stricken by floods caused by the Dzindi River. Such a river is infested with crocodiles and hippopotamuses, making rescue work dangerous.
The operation was made up of several stakeholders, including the SAPS water-wing unit and paramedics, among the many who participated in the mission.
DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi said while the primary team was deployed in Limpopo, the secondary team was deployed to Mozambique. Unfortunately, they couldn’t make it through due to logistical challenges at the Lebombo border gate. Subsequently, the entire team had to be diverted to Limpopo to join their colleagues in Vhembe.
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“Travelling wasn’t easy due to damaged road infrastructures; however, they managed to pull it through and arrived without many challenges,” said Ntladi.
“During the search, the team located and pulled out a Toyota Hilux single-cab vehicle from the strong flowing water current.
“It is alleged that the vehicle had two male occupants, the driver and passenger, prior to the incident. Neither of the two was found inside the wrecked vehicle.
“The Gauteng team, registered under the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, returned on January 27. Further investigation was left to the SAPS,” said Ntladi.
All seven team members enjoyed a warm welcome by the acting divisional head, Lifty Ngoepe, and senior district manager of the training academy and current SAESI president, Theresa Geldenhuys.
