Joint visit by MEC duma and mayor Xaba to flood victims
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Date: 2025-02-21 15:10:41

Joint visit by MEC duma and mayor Xaba to flood victims

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
21 FEBRUARY 2025
 
JOINT VISIT BY MEC DUMA AND MAYOR XABA TO FLOOD VICTIMS
 
THE MEC of Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma and eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba conducted an oversight visit to the areas in eThekwini affected during the recent heavy rains. 
 
As part of the assessment on 21 February, they also visited the grieving families who tragically lost loved ones during the inclement weather. 
 
MEC Duma and Mayor Xaba were accompanied by eThekwini Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni and the Chairperson of the Community Services Committee Councillor Zama Sokhabase. 
 
Preliminary reports indicate that 98 families were affected with six fatalities confirmed so far.  Interventions are in place to assist residents displaced by the heavy rains as well as the families of the deceased.
 
EThekwini Disaster and Emergency Services teams are on the ground profiling affected families and assessing the impact the inclement weather had on infrastructure. A report quantifying the extent of damages to infrastructure will be tabled at the next Council meeting.
 
As a temporary relief to assist affected families, the City is providing blankets, mattresses, and food hampers.
 
MEC Duma and Mayor Xaba conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. They also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
 
The City is working with the families of the deceased to ensure that they receive a dignified burial.
 
The Municipality will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders, including communities, to create awareness about the dangers of building in flood prone areas.
 
Mayor Xaba said they are also implementing practical measures including allocating resources to build climate resilient infrastructure.
 
Disaster Management and Emergency Services responded to heavy rain incidents that resulted in six tragic fatalities in the south of Durban on 19 February.
 
The adverse weather experienced in the City led to the collapse of formal and informal structures with reports of entrapments attended to by authorities.
 
The City activated its joint Disaster Management Operations Centre to coordinate its response to the impacts of the latest weather-related incident.
 
According to the Forecast Early Warning System, 184mm of rain was reported in the Amanzimtoti area between midnight to 5am on 20 February.
 
Most of the impacts have been related to flooding, especially in the southern parts of the City.
 
Affected areas include Amanzimtoti, Morton, Clairwood, and Isiphingo.
 
Four fatalities were reported in Folweni, KwaMakhutha, Demat and Ensimbini after a wall collapsed while the occupants were asleep.
 
Emergency services urgently responded to the scene where people were found trapped under rubble, working through the night to free those trapped.
 
Unfortunately, four people died which include a 45-year-old male in KwaMakhutha, a 13-year-old male in Folweni, a 12-year -old female in Demat, and a 13-year-old female in Ensimbini.
 
Another two fatalities were confirmed in Adams Mission where the victims, a 44-year-old male and a 41-year-old female were trapped in a formal structure.
 
For emergency services the public can call 031 361 0000.