A six-year-old boy has died after flash floods overwhelmed his family’s shack on a farm in Limpopo, in the northern part of South Africa, and swept him away.
His desperate parents survived by jumping on top of the roof and watching in dismay as the boy disappeared.
Provincial police say the tragic incident happened at Uitenhage farm in Thabazimbi, Waterberg District, on Wednesday, February 19, but the boy’s body was recovered today.
“A couple, together with their child, were in their tin house, when heavy rains got into their house, resulting in them being trapped. The floodwater rose to the point where it covered the house with water and the couple managed to climb on top of the house, leaving the child to be swept away by the rain” Limpopo Police Spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said.
He added that the couple was rescued by the farming community, who activated a chopper to assist the parents who were stuck at the rooftop of their house.
Later that day, the body of the child was retrieved around the farm. Ledwaba said the heart-wrenching tragedy happened around midday on Wednesday.
Meanwhile the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure has warned the public about the high level of water accumulation on the R510 road, about 13 km from Thabazimbi towards Northam, caused by the recent heavy rainfalls.
Like in most parts of South Africa, heavy rains have lashed Limpopo since October 2024, killing people and damaging houses, clinics and schools. Parts of the province were declared a disaster area.
According to statistics released by Limpopo Government Spokesperson Ndave Ramakuela, heavy rainfall has caused untold suffering, damaged infrastructure and claimed some lives since January 2025.
More than 400 houses, 108 schools, 420 roads, seven clinics, and 19 bridges were damaged.
About 20 people have drowned.
Ramakuela announced that the Executive Council began applying for additional disaster funding, in addition to the R850 Million requested for the October 2024 disaster.
Limpopo Police Commissioner General Thembi Hadebe said a body of a missing 36-year-old man was found in the Letaba river, Mopani district, in a separate incident.
“We once more advise community members to be extra cautious around heavy waters or rivers, as we are in a rainy season, parents are also encouraged to take extra care of their children,” General Hadebe said.
