ANC president Jacob Zuma is expected to visit the flood-ravaged areas in Soweto on Friday, an ANC spokesperson said.

Zizi Kodwa said Zuma would be accompanied by Johannesburg Mayor Amos Masondo, as well as various MECs.

"He will be visiting families affected by the flood and will be accompanied by officials to see what can be done to help the communities," Kodwa said.

They will be guided through Soweto by local leadership.

On Friday morning, the search was continuing for three people, including a 20-day-old baby, who were missing following flash floods in Soweto, Johannesburg Emergency Services said.

"We are still searching for the baby, a taxi driver, and a cyclist who were swept away during the floods on Thursday," said spokesman Percy Morokane.

On Thursday two girls, aged six and 15, died during the floods.

The six-year-old was a passenger in one of three vehicles, including a bus, which were trapped by flood waters on Ncube Drive.

Baby still missing

Morokane said the missing baby was aboard the bus trapped on Ncube Drive and the cyclist was from Mfulo South.

Forty people were injured when they tried to jump off the bus in a panic. They were taken to hospital.

The body of the 15-year-old girl was found in Zone 10, Meadowlands.

"I'm not sure about the taxi driver. We stopped the search at 1am this morning, and resumed it again at 7.30am."

Morokane said he was not sure about how the flood victims had died.

"We will find out about their cause of deaths as we sift through information, all those details are very unclear at the moment."

At least five areas in Soweto were flooded after heavy rains. They were Mofolo, Dobsonville, Dube, Orlando and Meadowlands.

A joint operational centre was established at the Jabulani fire station and was being manned by Johannesburg emergency services, police and volunteers from the 4-by-4 club.

The search continues

The search-and-rescue operation was being conducted by emergency workers and two police helicopters.

"This was one of the worst thunderstorms in a few years. Sowetans have not seen something like this in a while," Morokane said.

"We are committing all available resources to the new disaster in Soweto. We would like the full co-operation of all Sowetans in this time of dilemma."

The SA Weather Services said more thunderstorms were expected by Friday afternoon.

"Gauteng can expect slow-moving thunderstorms in various areas," said forecaster Lulama Menze.

She said flooding normally occurred because of "slow moving thunderstorms".

"When storms stay in a certain area for too long, there isn't enough storm drains or run-off which can take the capacity of the water. That's when we get flooding."

She said proper warning could not be given on time, as slow moving thunderstorms were difficult to track.

"We will only know, as it happens," Menze said.