Limpopo floods: Billions needed for repairs
With over R4bn needed for repairs, the government is mobilising aid for flood-ravaged Limpopo, where roads, schools, and hospitals have been damaged.
LIMPOPO – President Cyril Ramaphosa and the government have pledged support for communities affected by ongoing floods in the province, as communities reel from widespread damage to infrastructure and homes.
Provincial Government, led by Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and her MECs, has already begun mobilising relief for flood victims, with infrastructure repair interventions set to follow. On Thursday, the president visited Tshakhuma in Vhembe and Mbaulua in Mopani, where many homes remain waterlogged. He assured residents that resources have been allocated to assist those in distress.
Briefing the media in Polokwane on Friday, the premier said more than R4b will be needed to rebuild infrastructure damaged by the floods. The disaster has destroyed houses, bridges, and roads across Mopani and Vhembe. She reported that 439 roads were affected, with approximately R1.7b required for repairs, while further assessments are ongoing.
The floods have also severely impacted education, damaging at least 31 schools and forcing over 1 400 schools to close temporarily. Housing has been affected, with more than 1 600 homes damaged, and the health sector has not been spared: seven hospitals and 19 clinics sustained damage, with repairs estimated at around R7m. Elim Hospital suffered the most, with serious roof leaks.
Agriculture has also been hit, as farmers report widespread crop damage. Even community facilities such as libraries have been affected, with roof leaks damaging books, shelves, and computers – all estimated at around R12m.
The situation has been classified as a state of disaster, paving the way for additional support and resources to aid recovery efforts.
