Nineteen of 21 families relocated after severe January floods in Tshakhuma village, Limpopo, returned to their damaged homes by the end of August 2026 because food and scholar transport at their temporary accommodation were inadequate, according to reporting by Sowetan and GroundUp. The families were moved to the Farm House Boutique Guest Lodge in Nkuna village on 24 January 2026 while 21 temporary houses were to be built near the Tshakhuma market, roughly two kilometres from their original homes.
Limpopo education department spokesperson Mike Maringa confirmed that scholar transport for learners from the lodge to Tshiemuemu Secondary School and Luvhalani and Tshakhuma Madumbani primary schools was provided until 1 August 2026. After the service ended, parents reliant on social grants could not afford private alternatives at roughly R500 per child per month.
Ndivho Netshaulu, a resident who returned to Tshakhuma, told Sowetan: “There was no school transport and I could not pay R500 per sibling per month [for private scholar transport]. I live on social grants.”
Human settlements spokesperson Tsekiso Machike said the municipality and province were responsible for providing transportation and daily meals at the temporary site. The national department provided emergency accommodation and has commenced construction of temporary residential units about two kilometres from the families’ original homes, Machike said.
South Africa declared a national state of disaster on 17 January 2026 after severe flooding across Limpopo and other provinces. The Limpopo provincial government reported that more than 1,600 homes were damaged and about 31 schools were affected, with school reopening delayed in flood-hit areas.
GroundUp, in a report published on 31 August 2026, separately confirmed that 19 of 21 households had returned to damaged homes and that conditions at the lodge had fallen short. AllAfrica republished the same reporting with additional government responses the same day.
Cape Flats News has not independently verified the day-to-day conditions at the lodge or the exact date each household returned. The current construction status of the 21 temporary houses near Tshakhuma market also remains unclear, with government confirming only that building work has commenced.
What remains unknown is whether all 19 families returned for the same reasons and whether the temporary residential units will be habitable before the next rainy season. Cape Flats News journalist Nadia Samuels will seek an update from the Vhembe District Municipality and the Limpopo human settlements department by 5 September 2026.