By Levy Masiteng
Flood victims from Lamontville, south of Durban, are embarking on a new chapter in their lives following the recent devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal.
At least 229 families will be permanently relocated to land owned by the eThekwini Municipality in Hammarsdale.
The announcement was made during a two-day visit to the affected areas by Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, accompanied by eThekwini Municipality mayor Cyril Xaba and KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma on Tuesday.
Simelane’s two-day visit is meant to assess the damage from heavy rains and coordinate government efforts to support affected families.
During her visit, Simelane also announced the allocation of R100 million to the provincial government to help manage the consequences of the flood.
The recent floods in KZN have caused severe devastation, with the provincial COGTA department confirming a death toll of 22.
Many people were displaced during the floods, and dozens remain missing after the torrential rainfall left a trail of destruction in eThekwini and other parts of the province.
In the aftermath, many residents were left stranded as their homes were washed away.
According to eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana, temporary services including water and sanitation will be provided to ensure livable conditions at the new sites.
“The National Department of Human Settlements and the municipality are collaborating to identify suitable land and build permanent housing for displaced and vulnerable families affected by severe weather,” Sisilana said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini has called for the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address ongoing flooding crises and prioritise resident safety.
Yogis Govender, DA eThekwini EXCO member, said eThekwini Municipality must take immediate and decisive action to upgrade stormwater capacity, unblock drains, and relocate residents from floodplains to prevent further tragedies.
“We demand that the eThekwini Municipality prioritise the safety and well-being of its residents by implementing comprehensive and sustainable solutions to address the ongoing flooding crisis,” said Govender.
Govender said a DA-led government would implement measures including urgently upgrading stormwater infrastructure, investing in modernising and expanding drainage systems to handle heavy rainfall and prevent blockages, implementing regular preventative maintenance schedules for cleaning and maintaining drainage systems, and proactively relocating residents from flood-prone areas to safer locations to prevent flooding and loss of life.
“We urge the eThekwini Municipality to adopt these measures and take immediate action to protect the lives and property of residents,” said Govender.
“This past weekend, multiple scenarios played out where vehicles were submerged or swept away, due to blocked drainage systems that failed to cope with the heavy downpour. People were home-stricken as houses were flooded and sewage manholes spewed disgusting waste onto the streets.”
In response, Xaba confirmed there were ongoing initiatives to mitigate flooding risks and enhance infrastructure resilience.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by outdated stormwater systems, emphasising the city’s commitment to climate-proofing new developments against future flood events.
“We’re conducting detailed assessments to identify solutions for government-developed properties and address infrastructure limitations in coping with increasingly severe weather,” said Xaba.
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