By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The body of one of three victims swept away by floodwaters has been recovered following prolonged rainfall in the Umshwathi Local Municipality in Kwazulu-Natal (KZN).
“Three people went missing, and sadly one body has been recovered,” said MEC of Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma.
The discovery was made by a roving team that has been working since Saturday night in response to the flooding in the Shiyabazali area of New Hanover.
The Shiyabazali area is among the hardest hit after heavy downpours last night wrecked homes and roads, cutting off several communities.
He said the victims were living in cottages built on the riverbank and they were swept away when the flood waters rose.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families affected and to all those assisting in the recovery efforts.”
The MEC revealed that foreign nationals have been disproportionately affected by the disaster.
“At this stage, we can report that most of the affected victims are foreign nationals,” he said, adding that it is estimated that around 100 or fewer victims, mostly from Lesotho, were impacted.
The roving team from both the Department of Human Settlements and the Department of Transport has been collaborating with Umshwathi Local Municipality Mayor Councillor Mandla Zondi and disaster management teams to assist victims.
However, emergency shelter efforts faced an unexpected challenge when affected residents declined assistance.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli also expressed his condolences to the families affected by floods in New Hanover in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
The Premier urged residents to heed weather warnings and government alerts. “We have repeatedly highlighted the need to relocate structures in flood-prone areas. If these warnings had been acted upon, perhaps lives could have been saved. Our teams are on the ground working with other centres to search for the remaining bodies, remove the recovered body, and ensure people’s safety in the area.”
He also addressed the broader impact of the floods on property and infrastructure.
“A number of properties were affected, and we hope to receive a full report on the extent of the damage before the end of today. We are encouraging residents to remain alert as rains continue, to listen carefully to advisories from the South African Weather Service, municipalities, and government departments, and to take action to protect themselves and their families.”
Ntuli further highlighted the need for municipal preparedness. “We are urging municipalities to urgently repair and maintain stormwater drainage systems to prevent further damage and loss of life during floods.”
The South African Weather Service (Saws) has issued severe adverse conditions for the country.
An Orange L5 warning for severe thunderstorms producing heavy downpours, hail and excessive lightning that will lead to flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges, damages to infrastructure and properties due to large amounts of small hail or large hail in an open area, strong damaging winds, and disruptions to communication and municipality services due to lightning activity, are expected over the northern parts of Gauteng, central parts of Limpopo as well as the Highveld of Mpumalanga (except for the extreme south-west).
Saws also issued a Yellow L4 warning.
Severe Thunderstorms producing heavy downpours, hail and excessive lightning that will lead to flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges, damages to infrastructure and properties due to large amounts of small hail or large hail in an open area, strong damaging winds, and disruptions to communication and municipality services due to lightning activity, are expected over Limpopo (except for the central parts and Lowveld), southern parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga escarpment and the extreme south-west, as well as the north-western parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).