LIMPOPO – The community of Mashishimale village has mobilised in large numbers to search for two boys, Mahlatse Shai (15) and Tshepo Shai (17), who drowned after being swept away by the overflowing Selati River on Sunday afternoon, January 18.

Swimming trip ends in tragedy on the Selati River

The two boys, one from Tshubje village and the other from Mosemaneng, were reportedly part of a group of four teen boys who were swimming in the river near a bridge in Mashishimale.

According to eyewitnesses and nearby community members, two of the boys were from Tshubje while the remaining two were from Mosemaneng. It is alleged that the boys were jumping into the river as it flowed towards the bridge.

At the time, the bridge was congested with trees and debris that had been swept downstream by the overflowing river, which initially helped the boys to stop themselves from being carried away. However, one of the boys missed the trees and was swept away by the strong current.

The second missing boy reportedly jumped back into the river in an attempt to rescue him. It is further reported that before reaching a large stone, the river forms a dangerous whirlpool where the water flows rapidly, spinning and pulling objects downward. It is at this point that the two boys disappeared in the fast-flowing river.

The search operation resumed on Monday morning, January 19, with the assistance of the search and rescue team. However, by Tuesday (20 January), the boys had not yet been found.

Limpopo Disaster Management Centre spokesperson Tsakani Baloyi confirmed the incident, stating that only the two boys are currently missing in Phalaborwa.

“A third young man managed to rescue himself when the two were swept away by the overflowing Selati River. Rescuers were called to the scene, but nothing could be done as it was already dark. The search for the missing boys resumed at 08:00 the following day,” said Baloyi.

A parallel nightmare: Child lost in Mbaula floods

Meanwhile, the search operation for a five-year-old boy, Siyanda Baloyi, from Mbaula is still ongoing. The child went missing at around 06:00 on Thursday, January 15, after his mom was attempting to escape from their flooded home when the structure collapsed while they were still inside.

Olga Shivambu, a mom of two, survived by clinging to a tree after being swept away for several kilometres. She was later rescued by a SA National Defence Force (SANDF) helicopter and is currently receiving medical treatment at Maphutha Malatji Hospital in Phalaborwa.

The older brother was at his grandmother’s house at the time of the incident. The boy’s father, Lucky Baloyi, said he was not home when the incident occurred as he works in Pretoria and had left home on Sunday, January 11.

“When the rain started, we thought it was normal rain until the house began flooding at around 03:00. The house collapsed while they were inside. She managed to push the doors open and escape, but when she went outside, they were both swept away by the floodwaters and the child slipped from her as the water pushed them apart. She screamed for help, hanging onto a tree until community members heard her. The SANDF rescued her at approximately 08:00,” Baloyi said.

“I had to rush home immediately. This has been a devastating experience for our family. We are still searching for our boy and remain hopeful that he will be found. Our hearts are broken, but we continue to hold on to hope as the search progresses,” he added.

Community members expressed shock at the incident, with many describing the mom’s survival as a miracle.

Some compared the incident to the devastating 2000 floods in Mozambique and parts of Limpopo, where a woman famously gave birth while stranded in a tree and was rescued by the SANDF.

Twenty-six years later, residents say history has repeated itself in Mbaula village, though tragically, this time a child remains missing.

Authorities continue to urge community members to avoid flooded rivers and bridges as search operations continue.