Category: South Africa Government

President Cyril Ramaphosa has visited the Limpopo province where heavy rainfall and flooding has left at least 19 people dead and caused destruction to homes, businesses and infrastructure.

The President, together with Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, visited the Vhembe and Mopani Districts to assess the damage caused by the more than 400mm of rain that fell in the area.

“We have just seen the catastrophic damage that has been caused here. We started off in the Vheme District where we saw how a number of houses were flooded and how people have lost their possessions with the huge, huge rains … in this part of our country.

“In the Mopani District, it’s even worse … because there are 36 houses that have just been wiped away from the face of the earth. One five-year-old child has also passed away,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa noted that government officials have been on the ground “doing everything they can to assist the people who have been affected by the floods”.

“Provincial government…has come out in a very strong way. So much as disaster befalls us with climate change, with rains that are now devastating, we’ve been able to find a response. Of course, we need to do a little bit more.

“And of course, our South African Airforce…came out with their helicopters and rescued a number of people from rooftops and from trees. That shows that our response to disaster is getting better both at the institutional level like the Airforce, the South African Defence Force and also at local government level,” he added.

Read I Minister urges communities to remain vigilant amid further weather warnings 

The President noted that community members have been standing by each other during this time.

“The solidarity and the cooperation that we have seen amongst our people here is quite amazing. We heard how one person was thoughtful enough and threw a rope to people who were stranded. They tied the rope around each other and pulled each other out of what would have been certain death.

“A number of lives that could have been lost here have been saved and we are grateful to our people,” he said.

The President warned that the effects of climate change are now truly beginning to show.

“We are told that we can expect more rain in the coming days and this is the effects of climate change. Climate change is truly with us and those who don’t believe that it is with us, better believe it now, because wiping out of 36 houses when there’s rain has never really been something that we’ve experienced.

“All those households and families are now stranded [and] now have to pick up the pieces of their lives,” he said.

The Limpopo provincial government is expected to brief the media on the heavy rainfall, on Friday. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, says the persistent heavy rain that has affected the Kruger National Park underscores the growing challenges posed by climate variability and climate change.

“Extreme rainfall and flooding events are becoming more frequent and severe, placing pressure on infrastructure and visitor safety. These events highlight the importance of resilience and adaptive management in conservation areas,” the Minister said on Thursday.

Persistent heavy rainfall across Limpopo and Mpumalanga has caused river levels to rise significantly, with overflows reported in the Crocodile, Sabie, Letaba, Sand, Luvuvhu, and Limpopo rivers. 

Northern areas such as Pafuri have been particularly impacted, leading to road closures, bridge overflows, and restrictions at several gates, including Crocodile Bridge and Pafuri. 

Access between key regions such as Skukuza, Lower Sabie, and Crocodile Bridge has also been limited. 

The Minister expressed deep concern over the severe weather conditions and flooding currently affecting sections of the Kruger National Park.

“The South African Weather Service has indicated that rainfall is expected to continue intermittently over the coming days, with further localised flooding possible in low-lying areas. While conditions may ease in some southern regions, northern sections of the park remain vulnerable, and visitors are urged to exercise caution and follow official advisories,” Aucamp said.

In response to severe weather warnings, the South African National Parks (SANParks) has activated its crisis management protocols. 

These include precautionary evacuations at vulnerable northern camps such as Shingwedzi, Sirheni, and Bateleur, the deployment of emergency response teams to monitor river levels and infrastructure, and close coordination with local authorities, disaster management centres, and emergency services. 

Continuous assessments of roads, bridges, and camp facilities are being undertaken to safeguard visitors and staff. 

The safety of visitors, staff, surrounding communities, and wildlife remains the highest priority, said the Minister, adding that no fatalities have been reported.

He commended SANParks staff for their dedication, professionalism, and tireless efforts in managing this crisis under difficult conditions. 

“Their swift action has ensured the safety of thousands of visitors and protected critical infrastructure,” he said.

Affected visitors are advised to contact SANParks central reservations at 012 428 9111 for cancellations, rescheduling, or refunds, to monitor official SANParks updates regularly, to heed road closure signs and avoid crossing flooded areas, and to plan conservatively amid changing conditions. –SAnews.gov.za

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The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has urged communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga to exercise increased caution and implement all necessary safety measures as persistent heavy rainfall continues to affect various areas.

Communities in the Vhembe, Mopani, Sekhukhune, Waterberg, and Capricorn Districts of Limpopo, as well as parts of the Ehlanzeni District in Mpumalanga – including Nkomazi, the City of Mbombela, and Bushbuckridge – are facing localised flooding, road disruptions and damage to homes and critical infrastructure. 

Schools and clinics in several areas remain closed.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Red Level 10 weather alert due to disruptive rainfall in parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

According to Hlabisa, this means further rainfall is expected, which will heighten the risk of flooding and related incidents. 

“These conditions require vigilance and responsible action from everyone. Communities are urged to follow official guidance and take precautionary steps to protect lives and property,” said Hlabisa.

Yesterday, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited areas in Limpopo that were affected by the floods to assess the extent of the damage and government’s response. He was accompanied by Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, and the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

They inspected Mbaula village in the Mopani District, where more than 38 houses were swept away by the floods, leaving many residents homeless. 

The President began his visit in Tshakhuma, where several houses remain waterlogged.

He assured the residents that the government has allocated resources to assist and rescue those in distress.

Due to ongoing heavy rainfall in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, the Kruger National Park has prohibited day visitors until conditions improve. 

The department has called on traditional leaders, ward councillors, and community organisations to support information sharing and promote adherence to safety guidance within their communities.

The department, through the National and Provincial Disaster Management Centres, remains on high alert and continues to coordinate with all relevant stakeholders to monitor the situation and provide support as needed.

Due to the current weather conditions, CoGTA urges residents in high-risk areas to adhere to the following safety measures:

• Avoid crossing flooded roads, bridges and rivers, whether on foot or by vehicle. Move to higher ground when water levels rise or when evacuation instructions are issued by authorities.
• Stay clear of damaged or unstable infrastructure, including weakened bridges, flooded buildings and fallen power lines.
• Keep children and livestock away from flooded areas, streams and drainage channels.
• Monitor weather updates and alerts issued by SAWS, municipalities and disaster management authorities.
• Report flooding, damage or emergencies promptly to local disaster management centres or municipal structures.
• Assist vulnerable community members, including the elderly, persons with disabilities and children, where it is safe to do so.
• Rely on official communication channels and avoid spreading unverified information. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The  South African National Parks (SANParks) has taken a precautionary decision not to allow day visitors into the Kruger National Park due to persistent and heavy rainfall affecting the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.

Earlier this week, the park was faced with a challenging situation in which several day visitors were unable to exit the park after a bridge at Crocodile Bridge Gate was covered by water because of rising river levels. 

“While all affected visitors were safely managed, the incident highlighted the risks posed by the ongoing weather conditions.

“SANParks is mindful of the current strain on operational and emergency responses on resources during this period of persistent rainfall. As such, the organisation would prefer to focus available resources on real emergencies and ensuring the safety of guests, staff, and surrounding communities, rather than avoidable incidents linked to non-essential travel within the park,” the park said on Thursday.

The decision to restrict day visitor access is a preventative safety measure and will be reviewed continuously as weather and road conditions change.

“SANParks sincerely apologises for the inconvenience caused by the persisting rainfall and appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the public during this time. The safety of all visitors and staff remains our highest priority.

“In the meantime, Letaba Rest Camp is busy evacuating both staff and guests as the water has moved into the rest camp, breaking from the Letaba River. Phalaborwa Gate will also close for at least 24 hours – as we monitor the situation closely. This means at the moment there is no access into the northern parts of the park,” SANParks said.

Further updates will be communicated as the situation evolves. –SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit Limpopo this afternoon to assess the damage to the flood-stricken area.

The President will also assess government’s response to the province where recent heavy rainfall and flooding has claimed the lives of at least 19 people.

“The President’s thoughts are with families who have lost loved ones; people who have been injured and individuals, businesses and organisations who have lost property,” the Presidency said.

The provincial government has already deployed rescue teams to flooded areas which include the Vhembe, Mopani, parts of Sekhukhune, Waterberg and Capricorn Districts.

Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of further disruptive rain in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

“Heavy rainfall is expected to persist for the next two days over the eastern parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga due to the tropical weather system.

“Weather models indicate another 100-200mm accumulated rainfall over the next two days, in regions that are already saturated with overflowing rivers and dams. As a result, the expected rainfall will lead to a high likelihood of severe flooding related impacts,” the SAWS said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Presidency says the South African government is following the developments in Iran with concern.

The reports of unrest and the subsequent loss of life are concerning, said the Presidency in a statement, and South Africa urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint.

“South Africa firmly believes that the right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and freedom of association are universal human rights that must be upheld without exception.

“We therefore call on the Iranian authorities to ensure that citizens exercise their right to protest in peace,” it said.

Sustainable peace and stability can only be achieved through solutions that centre the agency of the Iranian people. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The Department of Transport will embark on a process to amend Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) to scrap the legal alcohol consumption limit in the country.

Currently, the law makes it a criminal offense to exceed the limit of 0.05g/100ml concentration of alcohol in blood or 0.24mg/1000ml breath for general drivers, and stricter limits of 0.02g/100ml blood or 0.10mg/1000ml breath for professional drivers.

“Our driving and drinking policy was formulated almost 30 years ago. In today’s South Africa it is totally unacceptable that there is a law that allows people to drink and then drive.

“The time has come for us to amend the law, so we have a clear-cut, easy to understand and unambiguous policy that says drinking and driving is not allowed. A law that allows drivers to drink a certain amount and get behind the wheel of a car must be scrapped,” Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy said on Thursday.

The Minister made these remarks during a media briefing that she held with the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, to release the road safety report for the 2025/2026 festive season, which covers the period of 1 December until 11 January 2026. 

Read I Festive season stats show a 5% reduction in fatal crashes 

According to the preliminary data of the 2025/26 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign, a total of 173 695 drivers were tested for driving under the influence of alcohol and 8 561 of these tested positive.

This is a 144% increase in the stats when compared to the same period last year.

The data also shows a 5% reduction in both fatalities and crashes for this year’s festive season, compared to the same period in the previous year. 

“This year, a total of 1 427 fatalities were recorded from 1 172 crashes this year. The data shows that the 2025/26 festive season recorded the lowest number of crashes in five years, and the same number of fatalities as in 2023/24 festive season,” the Minister said.

During this period, law enforcement officers conducted 1 632 roadblocks in which 1.8 million vehicles were stopped and checked. 

More than 450 000 traffic fines were issued, 525 were arrested for excessive speeding.

In addition, a downward trajectory in road crashes and fatalities was also observed in the annual statistics where preliminary data shows that the number of road collisions and deaths for the twelve-month period in 2025 are the lowest in five years.

This period covers 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025.

“A total of 11 418 fatalities were recorded from 9 674 crashes in 2025 compared to 12 581 fatalities from 10 633 crashes in 2021. 

“Furthermore the 2025 crashes decreased by 6.4% when compared to 2024 and fatalities decreased by 6.2% in the same period,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Preliminary data from the 2025/26 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign indicates a five percent reduction in both fatalities and crashes when compared to the same period last year.

“This year, a total of 1 427 fatalities were recorded from 1 172 crashes this year. The data shows that the 2025/26 festive season recorded the lowest number of crashes in five years, and the same number of fatalities as in the 2023/24 festive season,” Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, said on Thursday, in Pretoria.

The Minister, together with Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, held a media briefing to release the road safety report for the 2025/2026 festive season, which covers the period of 1 December until 11 January 2026.

“Five provinces reported reductions in fatalities with the highest percentage reduction recorded in the Eastern Cape followed by the Free State. Four provinces, namely Gauteng, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, and Northern Cape, recorded increases in fatalities, the Minister said.

The statistics show a noticeable increase in the number of crashes and fatalities from 15 to 28 of December 2025.

These two weeks contributed more than 40% to crashes and fatalities. 

“This re-confirms that festive season crashes and fatalities increase once travellers have reached their destinations and are engaging in festivities rather than during the peak travel periods.

“Many of the crashes happened over the weekend between 19:00 and 21:00 and between midnight and 01:00. They involved collision with pedestrians, hit and run, single vehicle overturns and head-on collisions,” Creecy said.

The highest number of pedestrian fatalities were reported in the City of Cape Town, City of Johannesburg, eThekwini, Nkangala District and the City of Tshwane.

The types of vehicles that contributed to most of the crashes were small motor cars with 55%, followed by light delivery vehicles at 20%.

Minibus vehicles and trucks were involved in only 7% and 6% of crashes respectively.

Watch I  Minister of Transport Ms Barbara Creecy releases the road safety report for 2025/2026 festive season 

During the festive season, law enforcement officers conducted 1 632 roadblocks in which 1.8 million vehicles were stopped and checked. 

More than 450 000 traffic fines were issued, 525 were arrested for excessive speeding.

“Roadblocks and vehicle inspections targeted roadworthiness, driver fitness, and licensing. A total of 173 695 drivers were tested for driving under the influence of alcohol and 8 561 of these tested positive, a 144% increase on the same period last year.

“The highest alcohol reading was recorded in KwaZulu Natal where one motorist recorded breath alcohol content 14 times above the legal alcohol limit. The highest speedster was arrested in the Northern Cape where he was clocked at 222 kilometres an hour in a 120-kilometre per hour zone.

“This year our officers also arrested 89 motorists for attempting to bribe traffic officers to avoid arrest.

“We completed 2547 physical education and awareness programmes across the country to influence driver, pedestrian and passenger behaviour, including visits to mass transit departure points, malls and other areas of mass convergence.”

The department also had a massive community awareness and education campaign on radio, television and social media platforms.

This included an increased number of roadblocks, checks for vehicle roadworthiness, driver licenses, seatbelt and child-restraint use as well as clamping down on speeding and drunken driving.

Annual statistics

In addition, a downward trajectory in road crashes and fatalities was also observed in the annual statistics where preliminary data shows that the number of road collisions and deaths for the twelve-month period in 2025 are the lowest in five years.

This period covers 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025.

“A total of 11 418 fatalities were recorded from 9 674 crashes in 2025 compared to 12 581 fatalities from 10 633 crashes in 2021. 

“Furthermore the 2025 crashes decreased by 6.4% when compared to 2024 and fatalities decreased by 6.2% in the same period,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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