Atok, Limpopo – December 3, 2025 – A 31-year-old male driver remains missing following a harrowing drowning incident at a flooded river in Atok, under the jurisdiction of Apel Police in the Sekhukhune District. The event unfolded on Monday, December 1, 2025, at approximately 21:30, when the vehicle carrying the driver and a male passenger attempted to cross the swollen waterway amid heavy rainfall.
According to police reports, strong currents generated by the flooding overpowered the vehicle, sweeping it away from the crossing point. The passenger managed to extricate himself from the submerged vehicle and sought safety on the riverbank. He was promptly transported to a nearby clinic for evaluation and treatment of minor injuries sustained during the escape. Medical staff discharged him later that evening after confirming his condition was stable.
Emergency response teams mobilized without delay upon receiving the distress call. The operation involved personnel from Apel South African Police Service (SAPS), the specialized SAPS Search and Rescue Unit, local security services, mine workers—including drone operators for aerial surveillance—and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams. Initial searches focused on the immediate vicinity of the incident, where responders located the submerged vehicle using spotlights and drones. However, deteriorating weather conditions, including relentless rain and rapidly rising water levels, rendered the area too hazardous for direct access. To prioritize the safety of rescuers, the operation was temporarily halted overnight.
Efforts resumed at first light on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. By midday, recovery teams successfully extracted the vehicle from the riverbed using specialized equipment. Despite this progress, the driver’s body has not been recovered, and search operations persist along the river’s course downstream. Divers from the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit, supported by additional ground teams, continue to comb the area under challenging conditions.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, addressed the incident in an official statement. She commended the coordinated efforts of all participating agencies, highlighting their dedication and effective collaboration. “The commitment shown by our officers and partners in this high-risk environment is commendable,” Hadebe stated. She emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation, with Apel SAPS detectives leading inquiries into the precise circumstances leading to the vehicle’s entry into the water.
This incident underscores the perils associated with navigating flooded crossings during periods of intense precipitation. Hadebe issued a stern advisory to residents across Limpopo and beyond: “Community members are urged to exercise extreme caution when approaching or attempting to cross rivers, especially during heavy rainfall and flooding. No journey is worth risking lives—always seek alternative routes and heed weather warnings.”
As of December 3, 2025, the search for the missing driver continues unabated, with authorities monitoring river levels and weather forecasts to inform next steps. Further updates will be provided as new developments emerge from the scene.
