KwaZulu-Natal is reeling from the aftermath of weekend floods that claimed the lives of ten individuals and left 13 others missing in various parts of the province. Search and Rescue operations, spearheaded by the SAPS K9 Unit and IPSS Medical Rescue, are ongoing to locate those reported missing.
Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, disclosed that the uMzinyathi District in Dundee witnessed a tragic incident where a boy was struck by lightning, resulting in his demise. In the Ilembe District in Mandeni, another fatality occurred as a young boy drowned.
Speaking from uThukela District in the Alfred Duma Municipality, Sithole-Moloi shared the heartbreaking news of seven individuals found dead, with 11 still missing. Among the missing is a father who, while trying to assist those caught in the floodwaters, lost his life alongside his son. The son’s body has been recovered.
Six of the deceased belonged to the Msimango family, who were traveling in a bakkie along with three others when the tragedy struck. Sithole-Moloi highlighted that numerous households near the Mbobo Zintathu Bridge suffered severe losses due to heavy rain and flooding.
The MEC noted that an alert was issued on December 21, warning of heavy rain in districts including uMgungundlovu, uThukela, Amajuba, uMzinyathi, Ilembe, and King Cetshwayo. Despite the caution, she emphasized the challenge of persuading people living near river banks to relocate.
Sithole-Moloi acknowledged that, compared to previous instances, the current situation was not as dire. She credited collaborative efforts with municipalities to mitigate flooding in towns by strategically placing valves in dams to regulate water levels.
In response to the crisis, the Department of Social Development (DSD) is offering support, including counseling services through social workers. The SAPS search and rescue teams, along with organizations like the Al-Imdaad Foundation and the Red Cross, are actively involved in relief efforts, providing food and essential supplies to affected communities.
Sithole-Moloi expressed her condolences and visited grieving families affected by the devastating floods. The province remains on high alert, focusing on rescue and recovery operations as the community grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster.