Feb. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Two people died and another was reported missing after flash floods swept through parts of South Africa’s predominantly black township of Soweto yesterday, The Star reported.

A 13-year-old girl drowned in Meadowlands Zone 10, while a six-year-old girl died after being swept from a bridge between the suburbs of Dube and Mofolo, the Johannesburg-based newspaper said. A cyclist “in his thirties” was also reported missing in Mofolo, the Star said.

The floods started at about 4:00 p.m., causing traffic congestion along major routes and trapping emergency services vehicles, according to The Star.

Soweto was once home to former South African President Nelson Mandela, winner of the Nobel Peace prize.

To contact the reporter on this story: Garth Theunissen in Johannesburg gtheunissen@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: February 27, 2009 01:43 EST