Police divers recover two bodies of people who drowned in Limpopo

SAPS Search and Rescue vehicle

Limpopo police divers have confirmed the recovery of two bodies of persons who drowned during the recent floods in separate incidents in the province.

This brings to 21 the number of flood deaths in the province.

The bodies were retrieved in the Selati River outside Phalaborwa and the Mvudi River in Thohoyandou, respectively.

They have been positively identified as 16-year old Steven Shai of Mashishimale village outside Phalaborwa, and 31-year old Mushaishi Khumbula from Maungani, Thohoyandou.

Police spokesperson Malesela Ledwaba says the search for three others who were swept away continues.

“SAPS search and rescue teams are continuing with search operations to locate three missing persons. These include two occupants of a vehicle that was swept away by the Dzindi River at Tswinga Village in the Thohoyandou policing area, Vhembe District, as well as a five-year-old boy, Siyanda Baloyi, who went missing at Mbaula in the Giyani policing area, Mopani District. Police investigations into all the inquest cases are continuing.”

#sapsLIM Limpopo #SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, has enlisted the assistance of SAPS #K9SearchAndRescue teams from Gauteng and Mpumalanga to reinforce ongoing search operations following several inquest cases linked to recent #FlashFloods in the province.… pic.twitter.com/N3dDe5DZIm

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) January 22, 2026