The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department has deployed its Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) technicians as part of the Urban Search and Rescue South Africa (USAR-SA) Task Team to assist with flood relief operations in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Mozambique.
The deployment follows widespread flooding caused by persistent heavy rainfall across parts of Southern Africa. In response to the severity of the situation, the National Disaster Management Centre declared the flooding a national disaster on 17 January 2026. This declaration enabled the coordinated mobilisation of resources across all spheres of government to support affected communities.
The flooding has led to the displacement of communities, loss of life, damage to critical infrastructure and increased risks to public safety. It is for this reason that the Emergency Services Department mobilised specialised rescue resources to support national and regional disaster response efforts.
The City’s USAR technicians form part of a highly trained specialist capability within the Emergency Services Department. Their expertise includes swift water rescue, technical search and rescue, emergency evacuations as well as operations in hazardous flood environments. These specialised skills are essential during flood emergencies, particularly in areas where access routes are compromised and communities isolated.
As members of USAR-SA, City technicians are working alongside counterparts from other municipalities, provincial disaster management structures and national agencies. This integrated approach will strengthen South Africa’s disaster response capacity.
In an effort to save lives, reduce further risks and support recovery operations in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, USAR-SA teams are assisting with rescue operations, evacuations and support.
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department remains committed to supporting national disaster response initiatives and providing specialised rescue services to safeguard lives and communities during times of crisis.