The authorities have began mopping operations in Soweto following heavy rains and floods which wreaked havoc on the historic urban area, Johannesburg Metro Police said on Friday.

"Cleaning up is on the way, we have lots of work to do, it's sad to see our Soweto like this," said Inspector Edna Mamonyane.

She said many streets surrounding Soweto were blockaded.

The SA Police Services, metro police, the City of Johannesburg, and Provincial Disaster Management Teams were clearing the streets.

"There is a huge amount of rubble and debris that we need to sift through. We even have a bridge which collapsed totally, so it's going to be a long day," she said.

The bridge collapsed on Mncube Drive.

Mncube Drive, Moroka Nancefield, Lesedinyana and Mahalefele roads were all closed due to flood damage.

"We are using everything, from shovels to machinery, to remove the rubble," she said.

Mamonyane said the road markings were not affected by the water.

Traffic is slow

Traffic in Soweto was slow and people were using alternative routes to get to work, she said.

Johannesburg Emergency Services said about 200 families were left homeless, two people were dead, and three others missing, since Thursday, when the floods hit.

"About 200 families have been left homeless, we have organised shelters for these people, which include many children," said spokesman Percy Morokane.

He said food and blankets were being handed out to the destitute.

"Eighty people from the Dlamini Kliptown shacks alone have been left homeless, I am not sure where the rest of the people are from."

The 200 people are being sheltered at the Grace Bible Church, opposite Maponya Mall, and the Dorcas Aid Shelter on Old Potch Road.

"The Red Cross, 4X4 Offroad Rescue Services, and Johannesburg Emergency Services who are on hand."

He said emergency services and police continued to search for the three people who were missing.

Searching for a baby

"We are still searching for a 20-day-old baby, a taxi driver, and a cyclist who were swept away."

Morokane said the missing baby was aboard a bus trapped on Ncube Drive and the cyclist was from Mfulo South. He was not sure where the taxi driver was from.

Two girls, aged six and 15, died during the floods on Thursday.

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

Morokane said he was not sure about how the flood victims had died and was not sure if the death toll would rise later in the day.

"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 — Mofolo, Dobsonville, Dube, Orlando and Meadowlands — were flooded.

African National Congress president Jacob Zuma would visit these areas on Friday.

Zuma expected in the area

Zuma told SABC radio: "... I am going there, I'm going to see what happened in Soweto this morning."

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.

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.

Sapa