SADC Activates Regional Support as Floods Hit South Africa
A team from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has joined the Government of the Republic of South Africa in assessing the impact of recent floods and identifying urgent humanitarian needs among affected communities in Limpopo Province.
The joint assessment mission, conducted on 25 and 26 January 2026, aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the flood situation, its consequences, and the immediate requirements of affected populations.
According to preliminary reports from the South African Government, at least 41 flood-related deaths had been recorded nationally by 24 January 2026, while more than 3,800 households were affected in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.
The SADC mission was led by Mr Antonio J. Beleza, Programme Officer for Monitoring and Early Warning at the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC). The team arrived in Limpopo on 23 January 2026, following South Africa’s declaration of a State of National Disaster on 18 January.
SADC activated its regional disaster response mechanisms to support government-led relief efforts. The mission sought to assess response capacities, coordination mechanisms, and priority humanitarian needs, in order to guide targeted regional support.
During visits to parts of Vhembe District, the team observed rescue operations at the Dzindi River in Tswinga Village, where flooding had claimed lives, and inspected areas where homes and infrastructure were damaged by heavy rainfall.
On 26 January, the team toured flood-affected areas in Mbaula, guided by Mr Shivasa Richard Nkuna, Head of the Mopani District Municipality Disaster Management Centre. The delegation witnessed destroyed bridges, damaged roads, housing losses, and an evacuation centre.
Municipal data indicates that 1,606 households were affected across the Mopani District, which includes Greater Tzaneen, Greater Giyani, Phalaborwa, Letaba, and Maruleng. Five deaths were confirmed, with one person still missing, while 42 bridges and 56 roads were damaged.
Community members also shared accounts of the devastation. Ms Brenda Mayifala, a member of the Mbaula Community Police Forum, described the destruction of homes and the death of a child, calling for urgent assistance.
As part of its mandate, SADC is assessing coordination arrangements among national, provincial, and municipal authorities, identifying response gaps and capacity constraints. The mission will also review how South Africa is managing transboundary water resources to minimise cross-border flood impacts within the region.
