KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has sent condolences to the Mcilikazi family following the recovery of the body of their daughter Ziyanda who had gone missing on Wednesday evening when she has swept away while crossing the river in Umlazi F Section (eThekwini metro).
The recovery of the body means that the province has now lost three lives as a result of the inclement weather conditions that struck KZN this week. In the other two incidents, two persons were killed by lightning in uMlalazi and Ulundi municipalities on Wednesday when severe thunderstorms hit large parts of the province. In the incidents Sinothile Biyela (27) from Dlomodlomo area in Ward 10 of Mlalazi and Ntombi Zakwa (60) in uLundi, Ward 14, KwaNyoni area lost their lives having succumbs to their injuries when they were struck by lightning.
“We empathise with the families who have lost their loved ones in these tragedies. Every year during the summer season we experience inclement weather conditions that leave a trail of death and destruction in their wake. We express our condolences to the grieving families and vow to continue working with all municipalities to strengthen the outreach to warn them of the dangers posed by inclement weather conditions which can result in hail, severe thunderstorms and localised flooding,” said Hlomuka.
Hlomuka has repeatedly appealed to residents across the province to continue to be vigilant as inclement weather conditions continue to pose a danger to communities.