Search for 3 women reportedly swept away by rapid flowing water from Middelburg Dam
Police Search and Rescue team in Mpumalanga rescued three women in Middelburg whilst two others are still being sought, after being reportedly swept away by rapid flowing water from Middelburg Dam on Sunday 07 December 2025, at approximately 13:00.
Police received a complaint of possible drowning in Towers Bridge at the foot of Middelburg Dam. It is reported that a group of six women went to pray at the river next to Towers Bridge, on the old Belfast Road, which is at the foot of the Middelburg Dam.
Whilst outside the river bank of Klein Olifant River, one of the women noticed that the river was rapidly swelling. This woman is said to have noticed that her fellows already experienced difficulty and were being swept by the raging water. Three women managed to held on to tree branches until the arrival of the Police Rescue Team who came to their rescue. Two other women are still missing.
The Police rescue team called off the search due to bad weather conditions and will resume on Monday, 08 December 2025.
Police once again call for public vigilance during extreme weather events like heavy rain, which can lead to hazards such flash floods in high-risk areas.
Two bodies of women who were swept away by the rapid flowing water were retrieved today, 08 December 2025, from the Klein Olifants River.
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 8, 2025
The third body has been retrieved, 10 km down from Klein Olifant River.
An inquest has been opened with regard to the three bodies.… https://t.co/e4Uc0ZSnDA pic.twitter.com/TMUypGSDxT
