Several parts of the province experienced severe storms in recent days, resulting in infrastructure collapses, mudslides and flooded roads.

The hardest hit areas were largely in the south of the Durban metro.

The seventh death is that of a young learner who was swept way while crossing a river in eShoba in the Abaqulusi Local Municipality.

Provincial COGTA spokesperson, Senzwelwe Mzila, says, “Currently, the death tall stands at seven. The MEC for Kota has passed his condolences to the families of the deceased that have been affected by this tragic incident.”

Mzila says disaster management teams have been dispatched to several town in the province.

“Disaster management teams have been deployed by MEC Buthelezi to commence with more operations at several towns including Durban Ladysmith and Newcastle. They all have been experiencing flooding affecting roads and infrastructure. The affected communities are receiving support from government,” he says.

Cogta in KwaZulu-Natal says 25 families have lost their homes due to heavy rainfall which caused widespread flooding and landslides in the province.

“Inclement weather conditions are expected to continue throughout the weekend, MEC has appealed to communities to continue to be cautious the ground is saturated increasing the risk of flooding in low line areas,” says Mzila.


--SABC-