One victim found after three swept away in KZN.
The body of one of three victims swept away by floodwaters has been recovered following prolonged rainfall in the uMshwathi Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma announced on Monday.
The discovery was made by a roving team that has been working since Saturday night in response to the flooding in the Shiyabazali area of New Hanover.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family,” Duma said.
The MEC revealed that foreign nationals have been disproportionately affected by the disaster.
“At this stage, we can report that most of the affected victims are foreign nationals,” he said, adding that it is estimated that around 100 or fewer victims, mostly from Lesotho, were impacted.
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Cottages built on riverbank washed away
Speaking to the media, KZN Premier Thami Ntuli revealed that the victims were tenants renting cottages built dangerously close to the water. “What is unfortunate is that the victims were tenants of one of the family, Ntuli’s family,” he said.
The premier explained that the victims were inside the structures when disaster struck.
“As a result, they were washed away while they were inside the cottages. We are sending our condolences to the families that are affected,” Ntuli said.
He emphasised that the tragedy could have been avoided if previous warnings had been heeded.
“We’ve been on record saying there is a need to relocate some buildings which are in dangerous areas, flooding areas on the banks of the river. Hence, if that had to be a call to be responded to quite urgently, maybe we might be speaking a different language, not to say we’ve lost lives,” the premier stated.
Emergency response and temporary shelter
The roving team from both the Department of Human Settlements and the Department of Transport has been collaborating with uMshwathi Local Municipality Mayor Councillor Mandla Zondi and disaster management teams to assist victims.
However, emergency shelter efforts faced an unexpected challenge when affected residents declined assistance.
“When offered a community hall for temporary shelter last night, the affected residents disappeared and some resolved to spend time with relatives,” Duma reported.
Despite this setback, authorities have agreed on a way forward.
Following engagement with Mayor Zondi, local Ward 2 councillor Sikhumbuzo Nxumalo and disaster teams, Duma confirmed that the verification process of affected victims is underway.
Extent of damage being assessed
Ntuli noted that numerous properties have been affected by the flooding.
“It’s unfortunate that a number of properties were affected by this flooding, and we are hopeful to receive the report before the end of today as to the quantification of the extent of the damage that actually took place during these floods,” Ntuli said.
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The MEC noted that the disaster was exacerbated by poor settlement planning.
“Sadly, the informal settlements that were washed away were built in flood plains,” he said, before issuing a stern warning to communities.
“We continue to plead with communities not to build in flood plains.”
Urgent call to heed weather alerts
Ntuli issued a strong appeal for residents to pay attention to official warnings as weather conditions remain unstable. “We are encouraging our people to continue to be on alert. As the rains continue, they must really be on alert,” he said.
He stressed the importance of following guidance from authorities.
“They must listen quite well to those who are giving alerts, such as the weather service authorities and even the municipalities and government departments; they must pay attention to the alerts that are actually given so that you will not lose more lives going forward,” Ntuli emphasised.
National intervention
Duma disclosed that he has already engaged with the national government to expedite assistance.
“We have already engaged with Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane as part of speeding up interventions in the form of emergency housing for South Africans,” he stated.
The search for the two remaining victims continues as authorities work to provide support to those displaced by the flooding in the Injisuthi River Bridge area.
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