In a devastating turn of events, two separate tragedies have left the communities of Limpopo shaken. On February 19, the discovery of human remains in the Letaba River marked a tragic conclusion to the search for a 36-year-old man who had gone missing. The river, notorious for being home to crocodiles and hippos, became the focal point of a grim discovery when local residents noticed clothes floating in the water. Upon investigating, police and community members found human body parts, alongside an identification book that confirmed the remains belonged to the missing man. An inquest has been launched to determine the exact cause of death.
In another heart-wrenching incident, the Waterberg District was struck by tragedy when floodwaters claimed the life of a six-year-old boy in Dwaalboom. The child and his parents had sought refuge on the roof of their tin house after floodwaters inundated their home. While the parents were able to escape to safety, their child was swept away by the swift current. A search operation, which included a helicopter, was launched to find the boy. Tragically, after several hours, his body was recovered. The parents were rushed to the hospital for treatment following their harrowing ordeal.
Limpopo’s police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has issued a stern warning to residents to be cautious near water sources during the rainy season, stressing the dangers posed by floods. She also urged parents to remain vigilant and ensure their children are closely supervised, as floods can strike with little warning and turn deadly in moments.
