Tragic Flooding in Tshwane: Emergency Services Recover Two Bodies From Swept-Away Vehicle

• The City of Tshwane Emergency Services have recovered the bodies of two people whose vehicle was swept away
• The incident follows heavy downpours on Sunday, 21 December 2025, that led to rising water levels and strong currents
• Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba said that several areas across the city reported flooding that affected roads and homes

Justin Williams, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, covers South Africa’s current affairs. Before joining Briefly News, he served as a writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa’s South African chapter.

TSHWANE - The City of Tshwane Emergency Services have recovered the bodies of two people after their vehicle was swept away during severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall on Sunday morning, 21 December 2025.

Search for the missing occupants

The search operation began shortly after authorities were alerted to the incident and continued until Tuesday afternoon, 23 December 2025. Emergency services spokesperson Nana-Radebe-Kgiba said rescuers were deployed after the vehicle’s last known position was identified near a low-lying bridge along the Hennops River in Centurion.

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Swift water rescue teams, assisted by police divers, launched an intensive search for the missing occupants. Rescue teams later located the submerged vehicle and recovered the bodies from inside. Police are now working to formally identify the victims and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Emergency services overwhelmed

The storms swept through parts of Tshwane, triggering flooding that disrupted transport routes and affected residential areas across the city. Emergency services in Tshwane reported being overwhelmed by weather-related incidents.

According to Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba, incidents were recorded in areas such as Centurion, Temba, Hammanskraal and Olievenhoutbosch. One of the major incidents included a landslide on the N14 highway, which contributed to traffic disruptions.

Response teams, including disaster management units, were deployed to address blocked roads, flooded households and traffic congestion. Efforts focused on clearing debris, removing mud to restore access, managing traffic flow and assisting residents affected by the flooding.

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Other flood-related stories

Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in Margate on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, affecting the town’s Central Business District (CBD). Footage from the area shows large volumes of water flowing through streets and alleyways, while several roads were blocked by uprooted trees. Nearby, the popular Shelly Centre also experienced flooding, with videos showing shop owners trying to mop water from shop floors and passageways. Homes in Palm Beach and Port Shepstone have reportedly been inundated.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli visited the Shelley Centre in Margate, which was severely affected by Sunday’s, 21 December 2025, flooding. The Premier said that this is an unfortunate incident caused by heavy rains in the province. He said that it has been confirmed that one person lost their life in the floods. The Premier said that authorities are still searching for an individual who drowned.

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Search continues for one person lost in KZN flooding

In a previous article, Briefly News reported that three people went missing after the vehicle they were travelling in was washed away on Longacres Drive in Amanzimtoti.

Authorities continue to search for one individual after heavy rain lashed the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, 21 December 2025.

Source: Briefly News