Government steps in to help hundreds affected by KZN flooding

By Amy Musgrave

Officials in the national emergency housing team have been directed to speed up assistance to hundreds of families who have been left destitute following flash floods in eThekwini and other municipalities in the province.

The death toll currently stands at six. Among them are two women aged between 56 and 60, who were washed away in Lamontville and Chatsworth, and three children aged five, 11 and 16, who died after being swept away into a canal in Lamontville. The sixth person is from Chatsworth.

Hundreds of people have been displaced, with the flooding also affecting areas on the outskirts of eThekwini, according to emergency services. They are dealing with localised flooding, an overflow of low-water bridges, mudslides, collapsed infrastructure and severe debris.

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane announced on Wednesday afternoon that she had had instructed officials to speed up the assistance, confirming that areas impacted by