The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is deeply saddened by the devastation and loss of life caused by the floods in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
A five-year-old child is among the 11 people that have died as a result of the floods that have battered the province since December 2025. Damage to infrastructure is estimated at more than R4 billion with roads swept away and bridges collapsed, leaving communities cut off. More than 1 600 homes have been damaged while some have been completely destroyed by the heavy downpours reportedly measuring 400mm in a matter of days.
COSATU commends the Limpopo Provincial Government and Premier Phophi Ramathuba for being on the ground in an effort to mitigate the damage as more rain is expected. The Federation also appreciates President Cyril Ramaphosa’s assurance that the disaster funds will be safeguarded from any potential looting and will be used to rebuild the province’s damaged infrastructure.
In rebuilding the affected areas, it is critical that government ensures that the replacement infrastructure is engineered in a manner that makes it climate resistant, ensuring it can withstand future disasters and thereby limit further devastation. This is pivotal because in natural disasters, it is the downtrodden that are often the worst affected while also being the least resourced to overcome these calamities.
COSATU expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in the floods.
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)
079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639