Lives lost, homes destroyed by disruptive rains

More than 300 homes have been destroyed and at least three lives have been lost during heavy downpours across KZN over the past few days.

The disruptive rain has caused structural damage to municipal roads, bridges, schools and water infrastructure, with the cost of damage estimated to be around R411-million so far.

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi has dispatched disaster management teams to provide support to the affected families.

This includes providing essential resources, co-ordinating relief efforts, and assessing the extent of the damage.
Rev Buthelezi expressed deep condolences to the families of those who have perished, including:

• Banele Mpungose (6), who tragically died in KwaMpofu near eShowe, under uMlalazi Municipality, after a lightning strike on Sunday, 4 January
• Lwandle Pasi (22) from Darnal in KwaDukuza, and Siyabonga Mavundla from Ohwebede area in Mandeni. They drowned in separate incidents on Saturday, 3 January

The department has urged residents to remain vigilant and motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads as inclement weather conditions are expected to continue.

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