KwaZulu-Natal is grappling with the devastating aftermath of severe weather that has battered the province since Sunday, leaving eleven people dead and causing an estimated R411 million in infrastructure damage.
The toll includes a six-year-old boy, Banele Mpungose, who was struck by lightning in KwaMpofu near Eshowe on Sunday. Two others, Lwandle Pasi (22) from Darnall in KwaDukuza and Siyabonga Mavundla from the Ohwebede area in Mandeni, perished in separate drowning incidents on Saturday.
KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims. "The province has tragically lost 11 lives due to severe weather conditions since the beginning of December," stated Cogta spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila. MEC Buthelezi has deployed disaster management teams across the affected areas to provide essential support, including resources and coordination of relief efforts.
This support includes a recent visit to Nongoma Local Municipality’s Ward 15, where Buthelezi personally delivered aid to the family of uMtwana wakwaFihlinqindi kaTselendoda kaDinuzulu whose home was damaged in a structural fire. The aid included blankets, food parcels, plastic sheeting, and an emergency Box B.
The extent of the damage is substantial. According to Mzila, 370 houses were completely destroyed, impacting 933 households. Municipal roads, bridges, schools, and water infrastructure have all suffered significant damage. Widespread power outages plague several municipalities, including Cato Ridge, eMpangeni, uLundi, Msunduzi, Nquthu, Vryheid, Wartburg, Stanger, Hluhluwe, and Nkandla. Eskom teams are working to restore power, but the estimated cost of repairs stands at a staggering R411 million.
The severe weather has caused widespread disruption across the province. Mzila urged residents to remain vigilant, as inclement weather is expected to persist. He also advised motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads due to slippery conditions. The Nongoma Local Municipality demonstrated swift action by rebuilding and reopening the Mfemfeni Creche after it was destroyed by the storm. Mayor Clifford Ndabandaba also fulfilled his promise to build a fence and provide seedlings for a community garden in Mfemfeni.
Meanwhile, the eDumbe Local Municipality, under Mayor Councillor Sibusiso Mkhabela, is battling the aftermath of the storm. The municipality reported significant damage, including collapsed houses, impassable roads, and power outages due to damaged transformers. Mkhabela deployed the municipality's disaster management team to assist, despite the ongoing challenging weather conditions and urged residents to stay indoors and motorists to drive carefully.
The details of the individual tragedies highlight the devastating impact of the storms. Banele Mpungose’s death from a lightning strike underscores the unpredictable nature of the severe weather. The drownings of Lwandle Pasi and Siyabonga Mavundla highlight the dangers posed by flooding.
These individual stories, combined with the broader picture of widespread destruction and economic losses, paint a grim picture of the challenges facing KwaZulu-Natal in the wake of these severe storms. The province faces a long road to recovery, requiring significant resources and coordinated efforts to rebuild damaged infrastructure and support affected communities.
