Heavy rainfall, flash floods force temporary closure of some schools in Limpopo
Limpopo schools in Vhembe, Mopani, Capricorn South, and Waterberg districts are temporarily closed due to heavy rainfall and flood risks. South Africa’s Pafuri and Giriyondo border posts are also suspended for safety until conditions improve.
The Limpopo Department of Education says it has temporarily suspended schooling in several districts severely affected by persistent heavy rainfall and the risk of flash floods.
It says the closures are being done as a precautionary measure.
The Vhembe and Mopani districts remain the hardest hit, with many roads rendered impassable, effectively cutting off access to numerous schools.
Departmental spokesperson Mike Maringa says compounding the situation, the Capricorn South and Waterberg districts have also reported incidents and structural concerns, which may further disrupt schooling:
“ This is done to safeguard the lives of learners and educators, and also the reports of leaking infrastructure and wet walls that may pose a serious danger to their lives.
“We are still calling on parents not to force learners to go to school to sit for tests and examinations. We can assure them that we'll afford them time and space to arrive at the later stage.”
Meanwhile, the Border Management Authority has temporarily suspended operations at the Pafuri and Giriyondo ports of entry between South Africa and Mozambique due to flooding.
Pafuri is located in the northern part of the Kruger National Park, while Giriyondo is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which spans South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
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BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said there have been no injuries or reported damage to port infrastructure.
“All BMA staff members, Port Management Committee members and operational vehicles stationed at the affected ports were safely evacuated as a precautionary measure.”
Reports from Kruger National Park rangers indicated that the water level at the Luvuvhu River bridge near Pafuri had risen by approximately half a metre compared to the previous day.
Mogotsi confirmed that the Klein Letaba and Middlevlei rivers are currently overflowing, while the Letaba bridge is nearing full capacity due to continued inflow.
“The rapidly rising water levels at the Luvuvhu River pose a potential safety risk to personnel, travellers, and infrastructure in the area,” Mogotsi said, adding that operations at the affected ports would remain suspended until conditions improve.
Travellers intending to access Pafuri Port of Entry have been advised to use the Punda Maria Gate as an alternative. Punda Maria is located approximately 65 kilometres from Pafuri and is currently open.
