By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
Mpumalanga Province is under the classification of National Disaster following persistent rainfall that caused widespread flooding in many areas, mainly in Bushbuckridge, City of Mbombela, and Nkomazi Local Municipalities, resulting in 20 fatalities, collapse of homes, extensive damage to critical infrastructure, and postponement of school re-opening in Bushbuckridge Municipality.
The classification was reportedly effected by the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre, Dr Elias Sithole, after consultations with relevant organs of state and Heads of Provincial Disaster Management Centres through the National Joint Flood Coordinating Committee.
This is said to have followed a comprehensive assessment of adverse weather conditions experienced since late November 2025.
The tragic loss of life has promoted Mpumalanga Premier, Mandla Ndlovu, Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of COGTA(Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs), and MECs, and some MECs to visit some families of the 20 victims.
The delegation’s visit reportedly aimed to assess damage, engage with affected communities, and review relief efforts.
The delegation visited Msholozi, near White River, to console the families of a 2-year-old boy, Sibusiso Mnisi, and Esther Amina Mathenjwa (44), who were swept away by overflowing streams in two separate incidents.
According to Lt-Col Jabu Ndubane, Mpumalanga police spokesperson, the boy’s mother had reportedly left him asleep inside the house and was unaware that he had followed her out and attempted to cross the stream on his own. He was sadly swept away by the strong current.
Mathenjwa, a hawker at a local school, was allegedly amongst a group of people trying to cross a stream when she lost her life.
The delegation headed to Ga-Mreku, in Bushbuckridge, to visit the family of a 73-year-old male victim, Aaron Silubane, who also suffered the same fate as Mnisi, Mathenjwa and 20 other victims of severe flooding across Mpumalanga.
Premier Ndlovu expressed sympathy to the families and reiterated the call for people to avoid crossing rivers and bridges that are overflowing.
“As the Province of Mpumalanga, we acknowledge that we are no longer receiving heavenly waters but a disaster. We have been hit by conflagration as the province. The damage estimation up to so far is roughly close to R2billion,” said Ndlovu.
Minister Hlabisa added; “First of all, let me convey my condolences to the families. The climate change is presenting challenges for our country as it does with the whole world. I’m here in Mpumalanga on behalf of the government to ensure that when our local communities, municipalities, provinces are confronted by disaster, we demonstrate as the national government that we will respond and bring urgent relief”.
Mpumalanga COGHSTA(Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs)said following the classification, and in terms of Section 26 read with Section 23 of the Act, the National Executive assumes primary responsibility for coordinating and managing the National Disaster.
“ Accordingly, all organs of state across the three spheres of government are required to strengthen support to disaster management structures, implement contingency measures, submit progress reports to the NDMC, and ensure a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to prevention, mitigation, relief and rehabilitation,” said Mthethwa.
