Motorcyclist, motorist die in Centurion floods — region braces for more storms

The aftermath of the floods that hit Centurion in Pretoria on Friday night. (Photo: Hennops River Survival)

By Bheki C. Simelane

22 Dec 2024

Floods hit Tshwane on Friday night and claimed the lives of a motorist and motorcyclist in Centurion, Tshwane.

Two people died in Centurion flooding on Friday, 20 December 2024. The City of Tshwane is bracing for more dangerous weather after the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued weather warnings over the weekend.

The drownings were reported to the Tshwane Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) at about 10:11pm on Friday. They occurred in Lenchen Street and West Streets, near SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium next to the Hennops River.

centurion floods The aftermath of the floods that hit Centurion in Gauteng on Friday night. (Photo: Hennops River Survival)

“The ECC had already dispatched more resources from Erasmuskloof Fire Station, which included a fire engine, to assist with these incidents resulting from the floods. On arrival, the firefighters found that a car and a motorcycle had been swept away by the strong river currents,” a statement from Tshwane Emergency Services said.

“The firefighters and rescuers from our Fire and Rescue Operations Division, together with the divers from the South African Police Service, and the Gauteng Emergency Medical Services, did a search and rescue operation where they found a female patient who had swum to safety on the riverbank.”

“Sadly, the motorcyclist and the driver of the car were both found deceased and were recovered from the river by the rescuers.”

Several other incidents were reported, but rescuers managed to save victims who were shaken but unharmed.

Two people who were stuck in a car were successfully rescued on Rabie Street and End Street at about 9:45pm.

Emergency crews also located and rescued another patient, at about 11:08pm, who was clutching a lamp pole that had been engulfed by the overflowing waters from the Hennops River, near the Centurion Lake Hotel.

Incidents from heavy flooding are not unusual in Centurion during this time of the year and environmental activists such as Hennops River Revival have constantly warned that pollution and neglect of the river might lead to blockages and flooding.

The South African Weather Service has issued a warning for more severe thunderstorms in several municipalities, including Johannesburg, Tshwane Ekurhuleni, Emfuleni, Lesedi, Merafong City, Midvaal, Mogale City, West Rand City, Randfontein, Rand West City and Westonaria.

Read more: Eastern SA predicted to experience widespread rainfall and possible flooding next week

“We believe it’s going to rain like this until Christmas. It’s quite hectic,” said Tarryn Johnston from Hennops River Revival.

Roads near the river were damaged during the flooding over the weekend and the remaining debris could lead to manhole and drain blockages.

Read more: In deep water: The sad, sorry state of Gauteng’s Hennops River

“My worry is if Rietvlei Dam overflows, because it has no sluice gates, so it’s all or nothing. Late [Saturday] we noticed the water turning green, which is usually from Sesmyl Spruit side,” Johnston said.

She said discarded waste which often ended up in stormwater drains contributed to the challenge.

She said Hennops River Revival members had taken to cleaning rubbish daily in substantial amounts. Johnston said illegal dumping was also a contributing factor to flooding. DM

Categories:

Tags:

DM is much better if you are signed in...

Our Burning Planet