Emergency support for 100 displaced residents in New Hanover after devastating floods in KZN Midlands
KZN Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma speaks to the media in New Hanover in the KZN Midlands where localised flooding caused extensive damage to homes and roads.
Image: KZN Department of Transport
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements says close to 100 residents displaced by the recent floods in New Hanover in the KZN Midlands have been verified and prioritised for emergency support, including shelter and temporary residential structures.
While the body of a woman was recovered on Monday, search operations are expected to resume on Tuesday for two other people who were also swept away in Sunday's storm.
Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said the Injesuthi River Bridge was reopened after a joint clean-up operation involving the provincial department and the Umshwathi Local Municipality.
“We worked jointly with the Mayor of Umshwathi Local Municipality, Cllr Mandla Zondi, Ward 2 councillor Sikhumbuzo Nxumalo and our roving teams as part of accelerating interventions following heavy floods in New Hanover,” Duma said.
Close to 100 residents displaced in the floods in New Hanover will be provided with temporary accommodation, Human Settlements MEC Duma said.
Image: KZN Department of Transport
He confirmed that assessments of affected families were complete, and the provincial government is arranging temporary accommodation for them.
According to Duma, Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane has already deployed officials to support the provincial response and is expected to visit the province next week.
“At this stage, we are working jointly to ensure that we identify land where we will build temporary residential units for the victims.”
Duma also raised concerns about foreign nationals, who were affected by the floods, but fled during the verification process.
“Undocumented foreign nationals, who are not in our population register, ran away when we asked them questions during the verification process,” he said.
He added that the government had been preparing to involve the Department of Home Affairs when “they disappeared.”
He said the department remained troubled by individuals occupying unsafe or restricted areas. “We are concerned about such people who are building on river banks and refusing to co-operate with officials.”
Emergency response teams continued searches in affected areas on Monday, with support from the uMgungundlovu Disaster Management team, SAPS K9 Unit and other rescue personnel.
He also conveyed appreciation for private relief efforts. “We remain grateful to the private donors who have provided meals, clothes and other items to the victims.”
The MEC said the provincial government would continue working with law enforcement, local municipalities and disaster units to stabilise affected communities until all humanitarian, housing and recovery assessments are complete.