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23 January 2026
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Gauteng Urban Search and Rescue Team, USAR SA-01, deployed to Limpopo and Mozambique floods; national disaster declared
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The Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) has deployed specialised search and rescue resources to support flood-hit communities in Limpopo and the Republic of Mozambique following severe weather-related devastation in the region. The province has activated its Urban Search and Rescue Team, USAR SA-01, a multi‑agency unit comprising municipal fire and rescue services, emergency medical services and other key stakeholders. The team recently achieved United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Medium Classification, confirming its operational readiness to respond to complex disaster environments locally and internationally.
The deployment follows alerts issued through the Global Disaster Awareness and Coordination System (GDACS) and forms part of coordinated national and international search, rescue and recovery efforts. The mission also supports the ongoing search for missing persons, including an Ekurhuleni MMC who was reported missing while in Mozambique.
Provincial authorities say the intervention is undertaken in line with Section 41(1)(h) of the Constitution, which requires all spheres of government to cooperate in times of need, as well as Section 28(1) of the Disaster Management Act of 2002, which allows for the mobilisation of resources across provincial boundaries.
Cross‑border assistance to Mozambique is further aligned with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 57/150 on international urban search and rescue assistance, as well as South Africa’s obligations under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
The Gauteng Provincial Government says it remains committed to cooperative governance and a coordinated disaster response, adding that its specialised teams have been activated to preserve life and provide support to affected communities in both Limpopo and Mozambique.
In addition, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has deployed a dedicated search and rescue contingent to Mozambique under Operation CHARIOT in response to severe flooding caused by prolonged heavy rainfall. An Oryx helicopter from the South African Air Force (SAAF), along with an advance rescue team, landed safely in Maputo on 18 January 2026 to reinforce local emergency services and disaster management authorities.
The military deployment was triggered by deteriorating flood conditions across central and southern Mozambique, where authorities report that at least 103 people have died and more than 173,000 others have been displaced or otherwise affected by the floods.
Government declares national disaster over flooding, severe weather
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has welcomed the declaration of a National Disaster under Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act of 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) due to severe weather conditions and widespread flooding affecting various parts of the country.
This classification was initiated by the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), Dr Elias Sithole, following consultations with the relevant government entities and Heads of Provincial Disaster Management Centres through the National Joint Flood Coordinating Committee.
“This followed a comprehensive assessment of adverse weather conditions experienced since late November 2025,” the statement read.
The severe weather, which included heavy rainfall, strong winds, lightning and flooding, impacted Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the North West.
This extreme weather resulted in loss of life, significant damage to infrastructure and property, environmental degradation, the displacement of communities, disruptions to schooling and agricultural activities, and closures in parts of the Kruger National Park.
Mpumalanga has recorded 20 fatalities, with over 1 300 houses, roads, and public infrastructure damaged. The death toll in Limpopo stands at 18.
Further rainfall warnings remain in effect.
The classification follows an oversight visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to Limpopo last week.
Hlabisa visited Mpumalanga on Friday, 17 January, to assess flood-affected areas and witness the scale of devastation firsthand.
Hlabisa commended the provincial leadership for its swift and coordinated response, emphasising that decisive leadership is critical in safeguarding lives and strengthening community resilience during disasters.
He emphasised the urgent need for intervention, including mobilising sufficient resources to support relief and recovery efforts.
Following the classification, according to Section 26, in conjunction with Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act, the National Executive takes on the 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.”
Hlabisa reaffirmed government's commitment to restoring normalcy and rebuilding affected areas, with a focus on creating more resilient infrastructure.
He expressed appreciation for the first responders, disaster management teams, the South African Police Service, the South African National Defence Force, and humanitarian organisations such as Gift of the Givers.
The Minister also acknowledged the communities that demonstrated Ubuntu by supporting those affected.
Foot-and-mouth disease
Due to the ongoing rainfall, wildfires in the Western Cape, and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Hlabisa emphasised the need for collective action. On 17 January 2026, he convened a meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management (ICDM), where they agreed on immediate intervention measures and additional support.
The Minister conveyed his deepest condolences to families and communities affected by the loss of life and urged residents to remain vigilant, heed warnings, avoid unnecessary travel and prioritise safety.
Response and recovery efforts will continue to be coordinated to ensure that assistance reaches all affected communities.
Hlabisa reaffirmed government stands firmly with the people during this recovery period and remains committed to supporting communities as they rebuild and recover.
SANDF deploys rescue team to assist in flood-stricken areas on Monday, 19 January 2026
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) announced that it continues to support various flood-stricken communities by conducting rescue operations to evacuate people stranded in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. These areas have been severely affected by flooding and rising water levels due to heavy rains over the past two weeks.
The SANDF has additionally deployed a search and rescue team, which included an Oryx helicopter from the South African Air Force (SAAF), to assist in search operations in Mozambique which has also been affected by adverse weather conditions.
According to the SANDF, the aircraft and advance team successfully landed in Maputo and are expected to collaborate with various emergency rescue teams and disaster management agencies in Mozambique as part of Operation CHARIOT.
“More air assets are scheduled to be deployed from South Africa to assist in the rescue mission,” the SANDF said in a statement.
In South Africa, severe weather, which included heavy rainfall, strong winds, lightning and flooding, impacted Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the North West.
This extreme weather resulted in loss of life, significant damage to infrastructure and property, environmental degradation, the displacement of communities, disruptions to schooling and agricultural activities, and closures in parts of the Kruger National Park.
Sources: Gauteng CoGTA, The Voice Of Tembisa FM, SA Government News, Defence Web
The deployment follows alerts issued through the Global Disaster Awareness and Coordination System (GDACS) and forms part of coordinated national and international search, rescue and recovery efforts. The mission also supports the ongoing search for missing persons, including an Ekurhuleni MMC who was reported missing while in Mozambique.
Provincial authorities say the intervention is undertaken in line with Section 41(1)(h) of the Constitution, which requires all spheres of government to cooperate in times of need, as well as Section 28(1) of the Disaster Management Act of 2002, which allows for the mobilisation of resources across provincial boundaries.
Cross‑border assistance to Mozambique is further aligned with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 57/150 on international urban search and rescue assistance, as well as South Africa’s obligations under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
The Gauteng Provincial Government says it remains committed to cooperative governance and a coordinated disaster response, adding that its specialised teams have been activated to preserve life and provide support to affected communities in both Limpopo and Mozambique.
In addition, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has deployed a dedicated search and rescue contingent to Mozambique under Operation CHARIOT in response to severe flooding caused by prolonged heavy rainfall. An Oryx helicopter from the South African Air Force (SAAF), along with an advance rescue team, landed safely in Maputo on 18 January 2026 to reinforce local emergency services and disaster management authorities.
The military deployment was triggered by deteriorating flood conditions across central and southern Mozambique, where authorities report that at least 103 people have died and more than 173,000 others have been displaced or otherwise affected by the floods.
Government declares national disaster over flooding, severe weather
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has welcomed the declaration of a National Disaster under Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act of 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) due to severe weather conditions and widespread flooding affecting various parts of the country.
This classification was initiated by the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), Dr Elias Sithole, following consultations with the relevant government entities and Heads of Provincial Disaster Management Centres through the National Joint Flood Coordinating Committee.
“This followed a comprehensive assessment of adverse weather conditions experienced since late November 2025,” the statement read.
The severe weather, which included heavy rainfall, strong winds, lightning and flooding, impacted Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the North West.
This extreme weather resulted in loss of life, significant damage to infrastructure and property, environmental degradation, the displacement of communities, disruptions to schooling and agricultural activities, and closures in parts of the Kruger National Park.
Mpumalanga has recorded 20 fatalities, with over 1 300 houses, roads, and public infrastructure damaged. The death toll in Limpopo stands at 18.
Further rainfall warnings remain in effect.
The classification follows an oversight visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to Limpopo last week.
Hlabisa visited Mpumalanga on Friday, 17 January, to assess flood-affected areas and witness the scale of devastation firsthand.
Hlabisa commended the provincial leadership for its swift and coordinated response, emphasising that decisive leadership is critical in safeguarding lives and strengthening community resilience during disasters.
He emphasised the urgent need for intervention, including mobilising sufficient resources to support relief and recovery efforts.
Following the classification, according to Section 26, in conjunction with Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act, the National Executive takes on the 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.”
Hlabisa reaffirmed government's commitment to restoring normalcy and rebuilding affected areas, with a focus on creating more resilient infrastructure.
He expressed appreciation for the first responders, disaster management teams, the South African Police Service, the South African National Defence Force, and humanitarian organisations such as Gift of the Givers.
The Minister also acknowledged the communities that demonstrated Ubuntu by supporting those affected.
Foot-and-mouth disease
Due to the ongoing rainfall, wildfires in the Western Cape, and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Hlabisa emphasised the need for collective action. On 17 January 2026, he convened a meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management (ICDM), where they agreed on immediate intervention measures and additional support.
The Minister conveyed his deepest condolences to families and communities affected by the loss of life and urged residents to remain vigilant, heed warnings, avoid unnecessary travel and prioritise safety.
Response and recovery efforts will continue to be coordinated to ensure that assistance reaches all affected communities.
Hlabisa reaffirmed government stands firmly with the people during this recovery period and remains committed to supporting communities as they rebuild and recover.
SANDF deploys rescue team to assist in flood-stricken areas on Monday, 19 January 2026
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) announced that it continues to support various flood-stricken communities by conducting rescue operations to evacuate people stranded in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. These areas have been severely affected by flooding and rising water levels due to heavy rains over the past two weeks.
The SANDF has additionally deployed a search and rescue team, which included an Oryx helicopter from the South African Air Force (SAAF), to assist in search operations in Mozambique which has also been affected by adverse weather conditions.
According to the SANDF, the aircraft and advance team successfully landed in Maputo and are expected to collaborate with various emergency rescue teams and disaster management agencies in Mozambique as part of Operation CHARIOT.
“More air assets are scheduled to be deployed from South Africa to assist in the rescue mission,” the SANDF said in a statement.
In South Africa, severe weather, which included heavy rainfall, strong winds, lightning and flooding, impacted Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the North West.
This extreme weather resulted in loss of life, significant damage to infrastructure and property, environmental degradation, the displacement of communities, disruptions to schooling and agricultural activities, and closures in parts of the Kruger National Park.
Sources: Gauteng CoGTA, The Voice Of Tembisa FM, SA Government News, Defence Web
