One year after the Tongaat tornado: a call for accountability on relief funds

MORE than a year after the devastating tornado in Tongaat, residents are questioning the allocation of over a million rand in donations meant for relief efforts.

Those who are still picking up the pieces have questioned what the funds collected by two non-profit organisations – the Tongaat Child Welfare Society and Tongaat Hindu Unity Forum - had been used for. 

On June 3 last year, the tornado left a wake of destruction - 12 people were killed and more than 1 000 residents were left displaced after their homes were destroyed.

While some residents, mainly those who had home insurance, were able to rebuild, others are still picking up the pieces. 

Among the affected areas were Sandfields, Naidoo Road, Jan Ross, and Newtown. 

Ricky Naidoo, a businessman and founder of the Tongaat Task Team (TTT), said since the beginning of the year, he had been approached by residents who questioned what the donations - meant to assist the victims - had been used for by the two organisations. 

He said his company -  Venk-Pac - had initially allocated R1 million rand to help the residents who had been affected by the tornado – especially those who did not have insurance, to rebuild their homes.

“However, from a million rand  it grew to R3.5million. We rebuilt 19 houses. This was all done out of our own pockets. We did not work with any other organisations nor did we do any fundraising,” he said. 

Naidoo said last year, while at a temple which had become a collection and distribution point after the tornado, he learnt of a meeting that was going to be held to help victims rebuild their homes and lives. 

“While at the temple, a group of people asked me to attend a meeting. They were trying to set up a committee which would aid and oversee the rebuilding of homes. 

“At the meeting the elected people who were part of a ‘tornado relief committee’ decided that the monetary donations would be channelled to the two organisations, as they were non-profit. The committee said it would source what was needed and then approach the organisations to make the payments. 

“They also asked me, together with two other people, to assist with the procurement of what would be needed. Due to my business, I have good relationships with various hardware stores, so I could have assisted them in getting good prices.

“However, after that meeting, they never contacted me to get a price check even for a nail. When I asked them, their response was that they had everything under control. So, I continued with my rebuilding project and decided to keep away,” he said. 

Naidoo said at the beginning of the year, he was approached by some of the affected residents. 

“They told me that they knew money was donated to the organisations to help the people, to rebuild, but months later, no one had even asked them if they needed help. They said it seemed only certain people were getting assistance. They asked me to stand with them and find out what the organisations had used the money for. 

“I immediately sent an email to both the organisations and requested a meeting. I didn’t have any joy until June. Myself, together with about five other people attended the meeting. I requested permission to record which was initially met with reluctance, but I was able to,” he said. 

Naidoo said he questioned the representatives from the organisations about the monetary donations which had been received. 

“I wanted to know how much they had collected, how much was spent, and what the remaining fund balance was. They didn’t even look at any books, and responded to me. The welfare representative said they collected about R900 000 of which R600 000 was already spent on rebuilding some homes. They still intended on replacing some roofs. 

“However, the forum said they collected about R700 000, and had not spent any money as yet. When we questioned them as to why they were holding on to the money, they said they were going to remove and replace asbestos roofing that was damaged. However, the removal and disposal would cost R120 000. At the time, they said they received quotations for replacing the roofs, which would cost about R700 000. 

“We then asked what was the delay to which they responded that they just received the quotations and still needed to raise more funds. That did not make sense to us because from the figures they had provided they had the funds for about a year already. 

“After this there was a disagreement as what they said did not add up to us. That is when it was said, the money is going to be put into a fixed deposit and will be used for ‘future disasters’. I said but that is not what the money was donated for. It was given for the tornado victims, many who are still suffering. 

“At the end of the meeting I told them to send me an email with what they had just said at the meeting, but to date I have not received a response. In addition, I have repeatedly requested a follow-up meeting, but I am still awaiting a response,”  he said. 

Naidoo said the community was calling for accountability. 

“They need to tell those, who did not have insurance to rebuild their homes, as to what exactly they spent each cent of the donated funds on, and what they intend to do with the rest of the funds that are sitting in their bank accounts. We want answers.”

Sibusiso Ngema, an induna in Newtown, said some of the residents, whose homes were damaged and were in need of repairs, were "worried and complaining" about the long wait for relief efforts to kick-in.

“It has been more than a year since the tornado, but some of the residents' homes have not been repaired, but they were promised that it would be done. We are also asking why only some homes were repaired and others must still wait. 

“We are also aware that these organisations collected funds, which were supposed to be used to help the victims, so they must do it and not wait for years. We also want proof how they spent the money. In some interviews and newspaper articles it was said that 80 homes in Newtown were rebuilt, but that is not true. 

“The community is getting tired of waiting. They are worried and complaining that they are not being helped. They say they are not asking for money, but for service. Some of the houses have not had the basic repairs done even to their roofs. What will happen the next time we have heavy rains or even another tornado? We need answers,”  he said. 

A resident of Jan Ross, who declined to be named, said he had to sell his vehicles just to be able to replace his roof and windows, as well as other exterior structural damage. 

He said his home was not insured. 

“Sadly, these organisations never approached me, yet my home was one of the hardest hit in my  area. I had to sell my own belongings just so I could do repairs which I could only start in November last year. Most of my money was spent on roofing, which they could have assisted with. 

“More than a year later, I still haven't been able to do any repairs or replace any of my furniture and other belongings that were damaged inside my home. It is very disappointing to know that there are still funds meant for tornado victims that are sitting in their bank accounts, while people in the community are still suffering and trying to pick up the pieces,” he said. 

Senzelwe Mzila, spokesperson for the Department of  Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affair (Cogta) in KwaZulu-Natal, said the donations they had received for the tornado relief was managed and monitored at municipal level in line with their donations policy and ensured that it was distributed to beneficiaries according to their needs.

“We do not transfer any funds to the municipality for disaster relief. However the national Cogta and national treasury does. The Provincial Disaster Management Centre monitors these funds in line with the disaster grants framework,” he said.

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