KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has expressed his concern about the loss of life the province continues to witness as a result of the prevailing inclement weather conditions.
In the latest incident, a six-year-old girl lost her life yesterday afternoon when she was struck by lightning while in the yard in her home in Madiba village in Ward 10 of the Maphumulo local municipality.
Hlomuka has expressed his condolences to the Manqele family for their loss and directed disaster management teams to provide support to the grieving family.
“The news we have received of yet another life lost as a result of inclement weather is devastating. We appeal to all communities to be vigilant as our province continues to experience rough weather conditions which pose a significant risk to human life,” said Hlomuka.
The province has lost 11 lives since the heavy storms struck on 24 January. Two people are still missing since they were swept off the uThukela Bridge between Kranskop and Nkandla on 12 February.
Search and rescue teams deployed a helicopter to assist with the search for Smakade Magwaza (62) and his grandson Lwandle Magwaza (8) who were swept away by the crocodile-infested uThukela River.
KZN Cogta under the leadership of MEC Hlomuka continues to invest in additional disaster management capacity in municipalities so that they can better respond to natural disasters and weather-related incidents.
Yesterday, Hlomuka visited the Ilembe district where he handed over a fully equipped fire and rescue vehicle to the rural municipality of Ndwedwe so that it can better manage such incidents and be able to assist other municipalities in the district.