AS eThekwini and other parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) continue to experience inclement weather, a 38-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman were killed when a retaining wall at the Nkanini Informal Settlement in Cato Manor collapsed under heavy rains at the weekend.

According to eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, the tragic incident happened on Saturday, December 21, when a retaining wall collapsed onto two informal structures in the informal settlement.

She said, “Emergency services including the City’s Disaster Management, Fire Department, as well as the South African Police Service, Pathology, and Emergency Medical Services, urgently responded to the scene where people were found trapped under rubble. The team worked through the night to aid the trapped victims. Unfortunately, two people, a 38-year-old male and an 18-year-old female from one structure, were declared deceased on the scene. No fatalities or other injuries were recorded from the second affected structure.”

Also Read: City issues warning with level 5 disruptive rains expected in eThekwini

Sisilana said the inclement weather affected other parts of the city where incidents of fallen trees were reported in Warwick Avenue, Kennedy Road, Prospect Hall Road, Currie Road in Morningside and Inqawe Circle in uMlazi. The provincial Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs has warned that the province is set to face more disruptive rains from today (Tuesday) through to Wednesday, as per the weather alert issued by the South African Weather Service.

Department spokesperson Senzo Mzila said, “A level two weather warning has been issued for eThekwini, Harry Gwala, Ugu, uMkhanyakude, King Cetshwayo, uThukela, iLembe, and Amajuba for today and tomorrow. The risk of flooding is high in all these areas due to increased soil saturation from the weekend’s heavy rains. Disaster management teams will continue to monitor the weather conditions in these areas.”

He said the provincial Disaster Management Centre continues to co-ordinate the province’s disaster response in collaboration with critical stakeholders, including government agencies, municipalities, and social partners. The eThekwini Municipality appeals to the public to report emergencies on 031 361 0000.

For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here