3 Bodies Recovered After a 2-Day Rescue Operation at Middelburg Dam

• Three women were rescued and three bodies were recovered after a major search and recovery operation at the Middelburg Dam in Mpumalanga
• The SAPS received information about a possible drowning incident at the foot of the dam on 7 December 2025
• According to reports, three women were saved by the SAPS rescue team, while three others were swept away and later found deceased on 8 December 2025

The South African Police Service has opened an inquest following the recovery of the three bodies. Police received a complaint about a possible drowning around 1pm, and rescue teams managed to save three women who had held onto branches and avoided being swept away by the rising water.

The search had to be suspended due to bad weather but resumed the following day,when the remaining bodies were found.

According to SAPS, the six women had gone to pray at the river near Towers Bridge, located on the old Belfast Road at the foot of the Middelburg Dam. While they were in the water, one of the women noticed the river swelling rapidly. Three managed to hold on until rescuers arrived, but tragically, the other three were swept away by the strong current.

Read also

Saulsville mass shooting: SAPS identifies 3 suspects wanted for attack, Citizens call for arrests

SAPS urges the public to be vigilant during extreme weather conditions

The South African Police Service has urged citizens to exercise caution during heavy rain and other extreme weather conditions, which can lead to dangerous situations such as flash floods. SAPS advises the public to:

• Check the strength of the current before entering any body of water
• If caught in a fast-flowing river, float feet first to avoid serious head and body injuries
• Always keep an eye on children near water
• Save emergency numbers on your phone
• If you fall into the water, remain as calm as possible, avoid swallowing water, and keep your head above the surface

3 Briefly News articles on floods and drowning

Previously, Briefly News reported that two bodies were found in KwaZulu-Natal after heavy rains. The victims had gone missing during the floods in the Midlands on 23 November 2025, and their bodies were recovered on 3 December 2025. According to SABC News, three residents were swept away from an informal settlement when floods hit New Hanover after warnig of severe weather was issued by the South African Weather Service.

Read also

Pregnant Attridgeville tavern shooting survivor opens up about how she escaped

In another incident, tragedy struck Durban South after heavy rainfall battered the Ugu District. Earlier, five people, including three children, were reported missing in Lamontville after being swept away by flooding. MEC for Transport and Human Settlement Siboniso Duma, along with other officials, visited the area to offer condolences to the bereaved families.

The KZN government later confirmed that the death toll from the severe storms and flooding on 17 February 2024 had risen to nine. MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thulasizwe Buthelezi said two bodies were discovered in the Ugu District. According to TimesLIVE, provincial disaster management teams recovered the bodies of two men, Sithembiso Mbuto and Musa Dlungelele, who were swept away while attempting to cross a river in Umzumbe.

Source: Briefly News