Durban - KwaZulu-Natal residents whose houses are built on riverbanks should consider moving as their homes are susceptible to being hit by floods.
This was the plea made by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sihle Zikalala when he visited Peace Valley in Pietermaritzburg yesterday after houses in low-lying areas were destroyed by heavy rains on Wednesday.
Zikalala visited the community after KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube called on the inter-ministerial task team, which is chaired by Zikalala, to provide immediate assistance, with priority given to children who are busy writing exams, the elderly and families that were left homeless.
Zikalala said weather patterns had changed drastically and flooding was becoming more frequent and severe.
According to reports, heavy rain caused the Msunduzi River to burst its banks resulting in flooding affecting communities in wards 11, 16, 21, 22 and 23. This left roads and bridges submerged and some homes destroyed in low-lying areas.
Zikalala warned against building in low-lying areas near rivers.
“Our province is prone to weather-related incidents, especially during the spring and summer seasons. We all share a responsibility in ensuring that we heed the weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service so that we can protect ourselves and our families.”
Msunduzi mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla said more than 30 families were affected by flooding, but there were no fatalities reported.
Some people were evacuated as a precaution, including 19 families who were given shelter in a mosque in ward 23.
Municipal spokesperson Ntobeko Mkhize said disaster management teams were still on the ground profiling families to obtain the number of people in need of housing or permanent relocation.
“The executive committee was seriously considering the relocation of this community as they are always affected by the Msunduzi River during the rainy season, as they have built in a low-lying area and flood plain.”
Thebolla urged those living in low-lying areas to seek shelter on higher ground or contact the Emergency Control Centre or their ward councillor for assistance.
The Mabhayi family said it was the fifth time that the river had burst and flooded their home.
Yonela Mabhayi, 26, said all their clothes, food, important documents such as IDs, and furniture were destroyed.
She said all the water pipes had burst and they had no water to wash the clothes and blankets and properly clean out the mud in their homes.
While the municipality disaster management teams were moving from house to house profiling the affected families and assessing the damage, the community pleaded for food as they had no electricity to cook.