Durban: Officials responsible for emergency housing within the Department of Human Settlements have been directed to speed up the process of assisting flood-affected households in KwaZulu Natal. The areas affected by the inclement weather include eThekwini townships such as Lamontville, Umlazi, uGu and King Cetshwayo District Municipalities.
According to South African Government News Agency, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane expressed regret over the loss of life due to the floods and extended condolences to the bereaved families. Simelane emphasized the importance of providing emergency shelter and stated that the department’s team would conduct necessary assessments to inform their intervention in line with the Emergency Housing Policy.
A team from the department is set to perform preliminary technical assessments and beneficiary registration. These assessments will guide potential interventions such as rebuilding damaged structures, relocating affected households, and providing building materials to help victims restore their damaged homes.
Simelane underscored the need for maximum cooperation between the government and other stakeholders, including communities, to effectively respond to the housing emergency. The department is already collaborating with provincial structures to ensure affected households receive adequate shelter.
In a statement on Facebook, Siboniso Duma, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements in the province, also extended condolences to families who lost loved ones due to the adverse weather. Together with the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi and eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, Duma visited the bereaved families. An integrated approach involving all government spheres has been adopted to assist affected families, with the eThekwini Municipality offering support for burials.
Additionally, Duma announced that Temporary Residential Units are being organized for families whose houses collapsed. Earlier this week, the South African Weather Service issued a yellow level 2 heavy rain warning for the province, following widespread flooding.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli visited the families affected by the severe weather conditions in KwaMakhutha Township, south of Durban.