Cape Town – Four people have died after the vehicle they were travelling in was swept into a river at an overflowing bridge in Limpopo.
The incident happened on Sunday morning, March 8, along a gravel road between Madiga and Makotopong villages when a blue Renault Kwid carrying five occupants encountered an overflowing bridge over the Makotopong River.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the vehicle allegedly overturned at the flooded crossing before being swept away by the strong current.
“Five occupants were travelling in a blue Renault Kwid along the Madiga and Makotopong gravel road when the vehicle allegedly overturned at the overflowing bridge and was swept into the river,” Ledwaba said.
#sapsLIM #SAPS in Sebayeng under the Capricorn District have recovered four bodies following an incident in which a vehicle was swept away on 08/03 at an overflowing bridge at the Makotopong River between Madiga and Makotopong Villages. MEhttps://t.co/6MGdz1429u pic.twitter.com/DHwy8XyN7q
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) March 10, 2026
One of the occupants managed to escape from the vehicle and alerted police and emergency personnel, triggering a search and rescue operation.
Ledwaba said members of the Provincial Search and Rescue team responded to the scene and began searching the river. During the operation, the body of 27-year-old Lebapa Petrus Mochitele from Madiga Village was recovered from the water and certified dead by emergency medical services at the scene.
According to police, search operations continued the following day with assistance from the SAPS Water Wing Unit, EMS Search and Rescue teams, the Fire and Rescue Department, and an EMS helicopter.
“During the operation, the submerged vehicle was located, and three additional bodies were recovered,” Ledwaba said.
The other victims were identified as Seobi Dikgale, 33, Betty Makokoane, 22, and Shellote Dikgale, 30, all from Madiga Village.
Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe praised the rescue teams involved in the recovery efforts and extended condolences to the families of the victims following the tragic incident.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
