Limpopo: Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, says preliminary assessments indicate that the province may require close to R10 billion for comprehensive recovery efforts following the recent floods. The provincial government has allocated R800 million towards recovery while it awaits a response from the National Disaster Management Centre.

According to South African Government News Agency, the Premier spoke in Polokwane during a media briefing, emphasizing that the provincial government, in collaboration with disaster management teams and relevant stakeholders, is actively assessing and responding to the needs of affected communities. “Our primary focus remains the safety and well-being of residents, which involves ongoing damage assessments, relief interventions and urgent restoration of essential services,” Ramathuba said.

Over the past weeks, members of the Executive Council have visited several flood-affected areas. ‘Whilst there we also mourned the loss of five lives. Many households have been displaced. The crisis extends to critical infrastructure. For instance, the R521 highway from Polokwane to Mogwadi (Dendron) reflects the severe impact of the rains, riddled with hazardous potholes,’ Ramathuba said.

Consequently, the provincial government is actively engaging with the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) to expedite repairs on this road and other critical routes to ensure the safety of communities. The Premier said Limpopo requires a comprehensive overhaul to restore normalcy to the lives of residents. ‘We welcome the national declaration of these floods as a disaster, which has enabled access to much-needed assistance from the national departments. Many have already initiated processes to support our recovery efforts,’ the Premier said.

Since December 2025, the province has experienced tragic losses, with 27 fatalities reported thus far, alongside approximately 3,194 houses affected and around 439 roads rendered unusable, measuring an estimated 600 kilometers. ‘We remain hopeful that we will successfully rebuild Limpopo from this disaster with the resources we are beginning to mobilize while we await further intervention from the National Disaster Management Centre,’ Ramathuba said.

Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the flood-stricken parts of the province to assess the extent of the damage and the response of government. The President’s thoughts are with families who have lost loved ones, people who have been injured and individuals, businesses and organizations who have lost property.