Anxious flood victims displaced during the April floods in KwaZulu-Natal will finally have suitable accommodation in central Durban after they were moved from the Yellowwood Park Community Hall, last week.

Just 10 days before Christmas, on December 15, the families packed the belongings they managed to salvage when the raging water swept away their earthly belongings eight months ago, to a place they will call home for the next 12 months.

Ward 64 councillor, Gavin Hegter, said he was proud to announce that after months of uncertainty, the flood victims were relocated to a more suitable living area.

“It has not been an easy road, and even though this too will not be permanent, they will eventually be going to more suitable accommodation they will call home.

“I would like to thank all the residents who assisted in making these victims stay as easy as possible,” Hegter added.

Ntombifikile Machi, who lost everything during the flood and only escaped with her life when her shack was washed away in the floods, said she was excited to move out of the hall and into a more suitable living space.

“We are glad that something is being done. We felt abandoned when we were left at the hall for many months and could not properly pick up the pieces of our lives because we did not know what the future held. Now, we will have a proper place to sleep, and we will be safe. We are happy,” said Machi.

Montclair Community Policing Forum chairperson, Shawn Smith, said he felt pleased that the flood victims were being allocated proper living areas and added that it was good to have the community hall back for recreational purposes.