Severe flooding has caused major disruptions at the General De La Rey Hospital in Lichtenburg, North West, with 33 patients evacuated to nearby facilities. The hospital was overwhelmed by torrential rains that affected several areas in the province. South Africaβs Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, visited the facility on 7 January 2025 to assess the damage alongside the North West MEC of Health, Sello Lehari.
The flooding occurred after the stormwater system failed, leaving water to pour into the hospital. Lehari explained that several departments, including the maternity ward, were severely impacted by the deluge. Fortunately, the hospitalβs management acted swiftly, relocating the patients to other medical centers. As a result, the facility has been temporarily closed for maintenance and repairs.

Heavy rainfall on 2 January 2025 was forecasted by the South African Weather Service to affect large parts of the country. Lichtenburg, in particular, received a staggering 10% of its annual rainfall in just one day, contributing to the catastrophic flooding. The water flowed through the hospital, with ankle-deep water even flooding the theatre area, further complicating the situation.
During his visit, Dr. Motsoaledi highlighted the failure of the hospitalβs drainage system, which allowed the water to flood the building. He noted the hospital, built in 1941, had long needed major renovations. While plans for upgrades were in place, they were still awaiting approval from the head office, he said.
The flooding at General De La Rey Hospital has sparked frustration among South Africans, with many taking to social media to criticize the government and the country’s aging infrastructure. As the affected communities and medical staff continue to deal with the aftermath, the health department is under pressure to address both immediate needs and long-term solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.