Police officer missing after being caught in floods

A Johannesburg police officer is missing after being caught in floods in Soweto on Friday.

Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said the SAPS officer was driving with two colleagues when they were swept away.

"Two officers were able to escape the flood. One police officer was admitted to hospital. One colleague has opened a case of a missing person."

She said a search for the missing officer would resume today.

The search for a three-month-old baby, who was washed away during a baptism in the Jukskei River in Bramley Park a week ago, is also continuing.

Khumalo said the team would split into two groups tomorrow, one to search for the missing police officer and the other to continue the search for the missing baby.

She said 339 homes had been affected by the floods in regions C (Roodepoort, Florida), D (Soweto) and G (Lenasia).

Several Johannesburg roads remained closed yesterday after torrential downpours.

The Johannesburg Road Association (JRA) urged residents to avoid certain areas until floodwaters subside.

JRA spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers said mopping-up operations had not started due to the threat of more rain.

“If the rains stay away we can begin mopping-up operations on [Sunday] morning,” Peters-Scheepers said.

“Kilburn Road in Roodepoort is closed after the bridge near Pick n Pay — between Kilburn and Kliprand — collapsed. This bridge was identified a day before it collapsed as a bridge that needed work done.

“Then there is Wilge Road where a section has been washed away.”

Other areas where roads were closed include:

• Sol Plaatjie in Durban Deep, where a road collapsed.
• Main Reef Road (west bound) between Helpmekaar and Houtkapper due to the left lane collapsing.
• Fever Tree Street in Fleurhof collapsed.
• Grosskopf Street in Helderkruin was partially washed away.

“There are several low-lying bridges and other flooding hotspot areas, but it is too soon to expect more complete answers,” Peters-Scheepers said.

She urged residents to avoid affected areas.

“Do not attempt to cross over bridges and areas that have been barricaded. JRA is working to secure all areas and our depots are inundated with calls.”

Kliptown ward councillor Siphiwe Simelani said 44 shacks in Kliptown were flooded.

“We have found a clear space on higher ground and we are in the process of moving the affected people there as we speak. The challenge is how to rebuild for them. While it is not currently raining, the forecast is for an entire week of rain.”

“Some roads were affected, but we are already in discussions with the city and plan to solve this problem. We aim to start building shelters for these households today.”

He praised the “immediate” response to the flooding.

“The EMS, NSRI and other volunteers immediately started helping people with boats and helicopters. Not a moment was wasted. I am proud of what these people did and are still doing in our community,” Simelani said.