Mpumalanga
1Min
South Africa
Dec 8, 2025
Three women were rescued while two others remain missing after they were swept away by fast-moving water at the foot of the Middelburg Dam on Sunday afternoon. nPolice in Mpumalanga said the group of six women had gone to pray near the Klein Olifants River, close to Towers Bridge on the old Belfast Road.
Three women were rescued while two others remain missing after they were swept away by fast-moving water at the foot of the Middelburg Dam on Sunday afternoon.
Police in Mpumalanga said the group of six women had gone to pray near the Klein Olifants River, close to Towers Bridge on the old Belfast Road, when the water level suddenly surged around 13:00.
According to police, one of the women saw the river rising rapidly and realised the others were struggling to get out. Three managed to cling to tree branches until police search-and-rescue teams arrived and pulled them to safety.
Police spokesperson Lt-Col Jabu Ndubane said the remaining two women were swept downstream and have not been found.
Search teams were forced to halt operations late on Sunday due to worsening weather and rising water levels. Ndubane said the search will resume on Monday.
Acting provincial police commissioner Maj-Gen (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi urged the public to be cautious as heavy rains continue across the province.
“Our rescue team will continue searching for the two missing women. We again call on people to remain vigilant and avoid areas that may put their lives at risk,” he said.
Police have appealed to residents to stay away from rivers, dams and low-lying bridges during the rainy season.
