KZN weekend floods: One body recovered as search continues for missing victims
Mapaballo Borotho
- Three people were swept away during severe weekend floods in Umshwathi, KwaZulu-Natal.
- One body has been recovered while search and rescue teams continue looking for the remaining victims.
- Authorities say most affected residents are foreign nationals living in informal settlements built in floodplains.
Three victims have been swept away by the weekend floods at the Umshwathi Local Municipality that battered KwaZulu-Natal.
A search and rescue operation is currently underway, and thus far, only one body has been discovered.
The MEC of Transport and Human Settlements in KZN, Siboniso Duma, has extended his deepest condolences to the victims’ family.
“The body of one of the three victims who were swept away has been located. We extend our deepest condolences to the family. At this stage, we can report that most of the affected victims are foreign nationals,” said Duma.
The roving team from both Human Settlements and the Department of Transport is working with the Mayor of Umshwathi Local Municipality, Cllr Mandla Zondi, and disaster teams to assist the victims.
When offered a community hall for temporary shelter last night, the affected residents disappeared and some resolved to spend time with relatives.
“It is estimated that around 100 or less victims, mostly from Lesotho, were affected.”
Duma says informal settlements that were washed away were built in floodplains.
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