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23 January 2026
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City of Tshwane Emergency Services USAR technicians deployed for flood relief operations as part of USAR-SA
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The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department (ESD) Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) technicians have been deployed as part of the Urban Search and Rescue South Africa (USAR-SA) task team to provide flood relief support in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Mozambique.
This deployment follows widespread flooding caused by persistent heavy rainfall across parts of Southern Africa. In recognition of the severity and impact of the floods, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), on 17 January 2026, issued a classification of a National Disaster, enabling the coordinated mobilisation of resources across all spheres of government.
Flooding in these areas has resulted in the displacement of communities, fatalities, damage to infrastructure, and increased risk to lives. In response, the City of Tshwane Emergency Services specialised rescue resources were mobilised to support national and regional disaster response efforts.
Tshwane’s USAR technicians form part of a highly trained specialist capability within the Emergency Services Department. Their expertise includes swift-water rescue, technical search and rescue, evacuations, and operating in hazardous flood environments. These skills are critical during flood emergencies where communities are cut off, access routes are compromised, and rescue operations are complex.
As members of USAR-SA, the Tshwane technicians are working alongside counterparts from other municipalities, provincial structures, and national agencies. The integrated deployment ensures a coordinated response, enhances operational effectiveness, and strengthens South Africa’s disaster response capacity.
In Limpopo and Mpumalanga, USAR-SA teams are going to assist with rescue operations, evacuations, and support to affected communities in collaboration with local disaster management centres and emergency services. The response has focused on saving lives, reducing further risk, and supporting stabilisation efforts in flood-impacted areas.
The operation has also extended beyond South Africa’s borders to Mozambique, where severe flooding has resulted in significant humanitarian challenges. The USAR-SA deployment — including Tshwane’s USAR technicians — will form part of the search and recovery operations, working in cooperation with Mozambican authorities and international partners. The City of Tshwane’s flood relief support reflects ongoing regional cooperation and solidarity in responding to natural disasters affecting neighbouring countries.
The City of Tshwane’s leadership commends its Emergency Services personnel for their professionalism, dedication, and willingness to serve beyond municipal boundaries during times of crisis. The deployment of Tshwane’s Urban Search and Rescue Technicians highlights the City’s commitment to disaster preparedness and intergovernmental cooperation.
This deployment follows widespread flooding caused by persistent heavy rainfall across parts of Southern Africa. In recognition of the severity and impact of the floods, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), on 17 January 2026, issued a classification of a National Disaster, enabling the coordinated mobilisation of resources across all spheres of government.
Flooding in these areas has resulted in the displacement of communities, fatalities, damage to infrastructure, and increased risk to lives. In response, the City of Tshwane Emergency Services specialised rescue resources were mobilised to support national and regional disaster response efforts.
Tshwane’s USAR technicians form part of a highly trained specialist capability within the Emergency Services Department. Their expertise includes swift-water rescue, technical search and rescue, evacuations, and operating in hazardous flood environments. These skills are critical during flood emergencies where communities are cut off, access routes are compromised, and rescue operations are complex.
As members of USAR-SA, the Tshwane technicians are working alongside counterparts from other municipalities, provincial structures, and national agencies. The integrated deployment ensures a coordinated response, enhances operational effectiveness, and strengthens South Africa’s disaster response capacity.
In Limpopo and Mpumalanga, USAR-SA teams are going to assist with rescue operations, evacuations, and support to affected communities in collaboration with local disaster management centres and emergency services. The response has focused on saving lives, reducing further risk, and supporting stabilisation efforts in flood-impacted areas.
The operation has also extended beyond South Africa’s borders to Mozambique, where severe flooding has resulted in significant humanitarian challenges. The USAR-SA deployment — including Tshwane’s USAR technicians — will form part of the search and recovery operations, working in cooperation with Mozambican authorities and international partners. The City of Tshwane’s flood relief support reflects ongoing regional cooperation and solidarity in responding to natural disasters affecting neighbouring countries.
The City of Tshwane’s leadership commends its Emergency Services personnel for their professionalism, dedication, and willingness to serve beyond municipal boundaries during times of crisis. The deployment of Tshwane’s Urban Search and Rescue Technicians highlights the City’s commitment to disaster preparedness and intergovernmental cooperation.