Soweto Floods: Residents Blame Poor Drainage Systems Amid Heavy Rains

Holifil

31 Mar, 2025

Heavy rains in Gauteng caused flooding in Soweto, leaving residents frustrated.
The South African Weather Service had earlier warned about severe thunderstorms and localized flooding.
Many South Africans are pointing fingers at the government for neglecting drainage infrastructure.

Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News's current affairs journalist, has covered a wide range of topics, including food, energy, loadshedding, fuel prices, and environmental issues during his seven-year tenure at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

Soweto roads were submerged in water, leaving motorists stranded. Image: Jaco Marais/Die Burger/Gallo Images via Getty Images Source: Getty Images

SOWETO, JOHANNESBURG — Picture this: torrential rains battering Gauteng, and Soweto’s roads turning into rivers. It’s not just a bad day; it’s a sign of deeper problems. Many South Africans are furious, blaming the government for failing to maintain proper drainage systems. The recent flooding didn’t just inconvenience drivers; it highlighted a much bigger issue that’s been brewing for years.

Heavy Rains Flood Soweto Streets

The South African Weather Service wasn’t exactly caught off guard. They had issued warnings about severe thunderstorms that were bound to bring localized flooding to Gauteng and other parts of the country. When the skies finally opened up, the impact was immediate and intense. Roads across Gauteng were quickly submerged, and Soweto wasn’t spared. The situation was particularly dire on Klipvalley Road near the Nancefield Hostel, where cars and emergency vehicles were stuck in the rising water. Drivers were stranded, unable to move, and the chaos only added to the frustration.

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Public Outrage Over Poor Drainage

As the water receded, the anger began to rise. Many residents and commentators have laid the blame squarely at the government’s feet, accusing them of neglecting the maintenance of critical infrastructure like drainage systems. Nertiens, discussing the situation, expressed his disappointment, stating that the government hasn’t been doing its part to keep these systems functional. Henson Mkhwanazi chimed in, saying:

"If the ANC government was servicing drainage systems, we wouldn't have flooded."

Others joined the chorus of criticism. Mpehle Ka Mzu Ncumani simply said:

"Drainage systems."

Xabhashe Makhatini added a sarcastic note, pointing out that whoever got the contract to work on Killer Road did a terrible job, managing to pocket the money without actually fixing anything. He congratulated them for "hitting the jackpot." Moshe Moses Selomo remarked:

"Just one day of rain brings floods."

Kelvin Pirates Musanda offered a different perspective, suggesting that if people stopped dumping trash in the drains, these issues could be avoided. Mpho Gaseemelwe agreed, noting that most of the roads flooded because people throw their garbage everywhere, clogging the drainage systems.

Western Cape: A Tale of Two Disasters

Floods Displace Thousands

While the focus has been on Gauteng, it’s worth remembering that the Western Cape also faced its own flood crisis earlier this year. In 2024, the floods left a staggering 4,000 people displaced. About 1,000 homes were destroyed, and the combination of damaging winds and heavy rainfall left many South Africans deeply concerned about those who were left without shelter. The situation in the Western Cape serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that come with extreme weather events and the urgent need for better infrastructure planning and disaster preparedness.