Zululand – The Provincial Disaster Management team has initiated relief efforts to assist the victims of the destructive winds that wrecked havoc across three municipalities within the Zululand District Municipality on Friday.
Our disaster teams, operating under the Zululand District Municipality, swiftly responded to distress calls in the aftermath of the devastation caused by the severe winds. These winds left hundreds of people homeless in various areas under the districts.
The winds ravaged homes in the Abaqulusi Local Municipality – Vryheid, Ulundi Local Municipality, and eDumbe Local Municipality. Two schools, Mongowenzeni Primary and Bantubaningi High, were also impacted.
Preliminary reports from our teams indicate that over 130 houses were destroyed across the three municipalities, with 22 of them being completely destroyed. More than 700 individuals were affected by this unfortunate incident, and only four of them were left without homes. These individuals chose to seek temporary shelter with their relatives, and fortunately, no fatalities have been reported.
The disaster teams, which have been on-site since Friday, have provided considerable assistance to the victims. They have distributed relief materials including blankets, food parcels, and plastic sheets.
Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, the MEC for KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, has expressed her sympathies to all the victims who have suffered property losses due to this unfortunate incident. She further commended the disaster teams for their swift response and the assistance they have provided.
“It is regrettable that the prolonged adverse weather patterns have led to significant damages, including the complete destruction of some homes. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all those who have lost their properties. As a department, we have coordinated efforts with other departments and social partners, including Social Development, Education, and Human Settlements, to offer assistance where needed. Our disaster teams will complete assessments and profiles to determine the appropriate governmental intervention,” said MEC Sithole-Moloi.
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Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.