The flash-flood that wrecked homes in Durban on Sunday, 10 March 2019, has claimed three lives to date. Some people are still missing and unaccounted for.
Durban homes were left flooded on Sunday, 10 March 2019, following heavy rains that left homes and other infrastructure severely damaged. Three people were reported dead, while two were still reported missing on Tuesday, 12 March 2019.
KwaMashu experienced the worst flood as a local stream burst its banks, causing a temporary bridge to collapse.
The Provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Nomsa Dube-Ncube, has confirmed that 2 000 volunteers have been mobilised to clean the aftermath of the flash floods.
“We have organised 2 000 volunteers who will go to each house, clean and help the community. We are also organising the Expanded Public Works Programme to help because there are a lot of elderly people who cannot clean for themselves,” she said.
Cogta spokesperson Lennox Mabaso confirmed that the remains of a man were found near a stream in the Hazelmere area. “One of them has been found alive while the body that has been recovered is believed to be that of the second man,” he said.
Amongst the people affected by the floods was 92-year-old Gertrude Radebe, who lives off a social grant and has difficulty walking, using two walking sticks as aid. Radebe says that although her house was flooded, she still slept in it on Sunday evening. Her daughter, Gloria Hadebe, lives with Radebe and told of how she had to place furniture on bricks, just to keep it above water.
57-year-old Thembi Myeza’s house was completely soaked, to the point where she, and her family, could not exit the house through the door.
“A 1-month-old baby had to be taken out through the window, and so was I. The water got into my house and in the cupboards. My sofas are wet, and the beds were floating,” said Myeza.
Abenathi Gqomo
a.gqomo@politicalanalysis.co.za
