Mpumalanga – A 44-year-old woman’s body was recovered on Thursday morning in Mpumalanga’s White River after she was swept away by floodwaters while crossing a stream in Msholozi on 14 January 2026.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said searchers found her 5km downstream, with the family identifying the body after overnight rains hampered efforts.
“Due to the consistent rain, we could not retrieve the body, and we could not find her. In the morning, the police and community members searched the riverbanks and found her just five kilometres downriver. The family has identified the body.”
Mpumalanga has seen multiple drownings since December 2024 amid persistent flooding.
Authorities, including acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, urged the public to avoid swollen rivers, especially with schools reopening.
The Lowveld faces ongoing severe weather, exacerbating regional floods in Mpumalanga and Limpopo that have closed schools, damaged infrastructure, and suspended flights.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
