The Commission is alarmed by reports of loss of life, damage to homes and infrastructure, disruption of services, and the displacement of communities. The SAHRC notes that the South African Weather Service has issued a Red Level 10 warning for disruptive rainfall in affected areas, indicating high-risk conditions that require urgent preventative action. Members of the public must cooperate and heed evacuation and other directives.
The SAHRC emphasises that disasters are not only humanitarian emergencies; they are also human rights emergencies. The effects of flooding directly threaten constitutional rights, including the rights to life, dignity, access to adequate housing, access to healthcare services, access to basic services such as water and sanitation, and the right to basic education. The Commission is particularly concerned that the burden of disasters is often felt most severely by people who are already vulnerable, including children, women, older persons, persons with disabilities, and households living in poverty, especially in rural and underserved areas.
The Commission is gravely concerned by the reported fatalities linked to flooding incidents. The SAHRC therefore calls on all spheres of government to ensure the immediate deployment of adequately resourced emergency personnel, rescue services and medical teams in all identified hotspots.
The SAHRC is further concerned about the destruction of homes and the displacement of households. Flood-related displacement threatens access to adequate housing and frequently places families in conditions that undermine dignity and safety. The Commission stresses that emergency shelters must meet minimum safety and dignity standards. Shelters must provide access to clean water, sanitation facilities and adequate food. They must also be gender-sensitive and ensure sufficient lighting, privacy and security. Temporary shelters should be responsive to the needs of vulnerable groups, particularly children, older persons and persons with disabilities. Measures must be put in place to prevent violence, exploitation and gender-based violence.
The Commission notes disruptions to infrastructure, including roads and bridges, as well as interruptions to electricity and other essential services. Such disruptions hinder emergency operations, isolate communities, and restrict access to healthcare, food, schooling and social assistance. The SAHRC calls for urgent infrastructure repairs, restoration of basic services, and the prioritisation of access routes needed for rescue and relief operations.
The Commission notes that the floods have disrupted the resumption of schooling due to damaged infrastructure and unsafe travel routes. The SAHRC calls on the relevant authorities to put in place continuity measures to protect the right to basic education, including alternative learning arrangements and psychosocial support for learners affected by trauma. The SAHRC further calls on the government to strengthen early warning systems and disaster preparedness measures. Early warnings must reach communities timeously, in accessible formats and local languages, and should include practical safety guidance. The Commission note reports of persistent, unusually intense rainfall in the region, reinforcing the urgent need for improved forecasting, preparedness, and community-level planning.
The SAHRC welcomes public commitments that disaster-related funding and relief resources will be properly accounted for. Transparency and accountability are essential to ensure that public resources reach affected communities without delay. The Commission expresses interest in monitoring the allocation and impact of disaster, including the adequacy of emergency accommodation and relief measures.
The SAHRC extends condolences to families who have lost loved ones and expresses solidarity with affected communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The Commission calls on all organs of state to respond with urgency, coordination and compassion, ensuring that human rights remain central to disaster response and recovery.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION