The start of the New Year has been marred by tragedy across Mpumalanga as heavy rains triggered a series of fatal flooding incidents.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed that while three bodies have been recovered, the SAPS Diving Unit is still conducting a search for a fourth individual feared dead.

A fatal walk home in Louisville

The first tragedy occurred in Louisville, Nkomazi. On the evening of January 1, a 19-year-old male who had been spending time with his brothers at a local tavern walked home alone at around 21:00.

Authorities suspect that the man attempted to cross a river swollen by heavy downpours.

He was reportedly overpowered by the current and swept away. His body was discovered by community members the following day, January 2, and he was pronounced dead by paramedics.

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Vehicle swept away in Barberton

In a disturbing incident along Lilly Mine Road in Barberton, a vehicle carrying three passengers was caught in floodwaters at approximately 23:00 on New Year’s Eve.

The occupants, two men and one woman, were traveling in a Toyota Condor when they attempted to cross a bridge.
The force of the water swept the vehicle off the road.

While the two men managed to escape the submerged car, the female passenger was trapped. Her body was recovered the next day and positively identified by her family.

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Teenager drowns in Middelburg

Earlier on that same evening, at around 19:20, tragedy struck a group of teenagers in Middelburg.

The group was reportedly attempting to reach a newly built RDP house when one of the girls was swept away by floodwaters and drowned.
Despite a rapid response from the Fire Department and police divers, the girl was certified dead at the scene.

An inquest docket has been opened by the Middelburg Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.

Search continues in Ekulindeni

The search remains active for a 27-year-old male in the Ekulindeni area near Nhlazatshe. At approximately 18:00 on January 1, the man attempted to cross a flooded bridge connecting Nhlaba to the Manaar area.

Witnesses watched as the overflowing water swept him away. While community members launched an immediate search, they were unsuccessful.

The Mpumalanga SAPS Diving Unit has been deployed to continue the search operation.

The following safety warnings are issued:

In light of these devastating events, police have urged citizens to exercise extreme caution during the rainy season.

• Avoid crossing flooded bridges or rivers, even if the water appears shallow.
• Do not drive through moving water, as vehicles can lose traction in as little as 15cm of flow.
• Keep children away from drainage ditches, storm drains, and swollen riverbanks.

“The loss of life is devastating. We appeal to the public to prioritize safety and wait for water levels to subside before attempting to cross any bridge or river,” Ndubane said.