The Provincial Disaster Management Teams have recorded two more deaths in the Ugu District as mop-up operations continue in areas affected by heavy rains on Wednesday and Thursday.
The death toll is now nine people after the recovery of two bodies in KwaQololoqo in the Umzumbe area under the Ugu District. The two men, Sithembiso Mbutho and Musa Dlungele, were swept away while trying to cross a river.
A child from the Shoba area in Vryheid, under the Zululand District, died after being swept away while trying to cross a river. Following this week’s heavy rains, the number of fatalities in KwaZulu-Natal is now nine.
KZN Cogta MEC Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi has expressed condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. MEC Buthelezi has ensured a coordinated approach to assist the victims.
Mop-up operations are still underway in eThekwini, with various departments, social partners, and the eThekwini Metro providing relief.
On Monday, MEC Buthelezi will lead disaster relief operations to assist the affected families.
“We appreciate the support from our social partners and other organs of state that have been working to assist the affected families. Our teams are still on the ground, ensuring that all affected families are profiled to receive the necessary support. We urge councillors and municipalities to ensure all wards are assessed and reported.
The rainy season is not over yet, so let us continue to be cautious. We have suffered a great loss as a province, where almost every month we lose people through weather-related disasters. Let’s all be vigilant to minimise the impact of the disruptive rains,” said MEC Buthelezi.
Ends
Issued by KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs