The KwaZulu-Natal government has confirmed that six people have died due to inclement weather in the province since yesterday. KZN Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi explained that three family members died after their house collapsed on them, while three others died as a result of a mudslide in KwaMakhutha.

LIVES LOST

Buthelezi said all these point to the reality of threats posed by climate change, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. "It is clear now that we are a disaster-prone province and we need to double our efforts to mitigate the impact of these disasters," he said. Yesterday, a 12-year-old child was swept away while crossing a river in Eshowe and her body has not been recovered. Buthelezi said their teams were still on the ground trying to recover the body. A distraught family in KwaMakhutha said they are still trying to come to terms with their loss after a family member, Bongi, died due to the mudslide. The younger brother of the deceased explained that the incident happened around 2am whilst they were sleeping. He said his family told him that they heard an unusual sound coming from the direction of the school above their home. "There are backrooms here at home, so the first point of contact for the mudslide was those rooms. Unfortunately, my brother Bongi was in one of the rooms that collapsed due to the heavy mud. They tried to rescue him shortly after the incident happened but couldn't locate him. He was only retrieved around 10am this morning and was certified dead, "he said.

WEATHER WARNING

The MEC added that the southern part of the eThekwini, including Eshowe, Chatsworth, Umkomaas, eManzimtoti, Umlazi and Verulam have been severely affected by the floods. The South African Weather Services (SAWS) issued an orange level 5 weather warning for heavy rain, widespread showers, and thundershowers in the northwestern parts of KwaZulu-Natal. "Rainfall accumulation of at least 40mm is expected over the south-western parts of KZN today, which may lead to flooding and localised impacts," South African Weather Service said.