#KZNFLOODS: Destitute flood victims forced to make hall home
KZN premier, Sihle Zikalala reported that a total of 6 278 people are currently homeless in the province due to the recent floods.
A ONE-MONTH-OLD baby is among the 19 people living at the Clermont Community Hall after the devastating recent floods left thousands of people destitute.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala said in all, 17 438 households have been affected by the disaster with a total of 6 278 people currently homeless.
ALSO READ: #KZNFLOODS: Heavy rains claim lives of four Clermont siblings
The nine families who were left homeless said the three-story block of flats they were living in was flooded and damaged after a structure collapsed onto their property.
“A few of us managed to retrieve important documents. Even the few things that we managed to save are no longer usable as they are falling apart. Most of us were just left with the clothes that we were wearing,” said a heavily pregnant Thobeka Hlophe.
Hlophe said she was worried as she was about to give birth and all the clothes for the baby were also washed away. “How are we going to be comfortable in the hall? We sleep on mattresses. It is cold and most of the times we struggle to get water,” she said.
ALSO READ: Concern around matric class impacted by KZN floods
Though the hall might not be an ideal home, the homeless families said they were appreciative to have a shelter over their heads and were thankful for the assistance that they have received so far.
“We do not go to bed on empty stomachs. Most importantly, we are grateful to be alive. So many people lost their lives and many families are mourning,” said Hlophe, sighing.
Visiting the hall, Highway Mail journalists found a few of the Clermont Road residents sitting inside while others made lunch in another room. There were also children playing around the hall.
Another resident, Bongeka Sijendu, said the two 11-year-olds and a nine-year-old could not go to school as they did not have uniforms.
“All we hope for is a shelter. We wish that we can get our own places soon,” she said.
The Department of Education said in a statement that “all school principals are required to welcome all the learners to the school whether they have uniform or not.”
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409. You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts. Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
