The death toll from the floods that hit KwaZulu Natal over the past weekend has risen to six. The sixth person was struck by lightning in the Mpofana Local Municipality under the Umgungundlovu District. Residents of the Mtubatuba area in north east of KZN suffered the biggest loss with more than 100 houses completely destroyed and hundreds left displaced. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in the province says schools, road infrastructures, electric cables and vehicles were not spared by the severe storms.

On Monday, Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube joined by Cogta MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, Human Settlements and Public Works MEC Sipho Nkosi and Mayor of uMkhanyakude District Municipality Siphile Mdaka led an oversight visit to the mostly affected area of Mtubatuba. "Many schools and homes have been damaged and electricity infrastructure destroyed, leaving people homeless and in the dark. As the province, our budget alone will not suffice to cover the cost of this devastation," said Dube-Ncube, adding that all responsible functionaries must ensure classrooms are urgently cleared of debris where possible and temporary classroom structures installed urgently to ensure that the commencement of matric examinations is not disrupted. "I am deeply saddened by the devastating impact of the recent storm on these communities. We are actively devising plans to assist all those affected. We are engaging the national government requesting support as we face this disaster," she said.

In Mtubatuba, five people including a one-year-old child lost their lives following a structural collapse under heavy rains and strong winds. Dube-Ncube also said that the provincial government will be helping families who lost their loved ones with burial arrangements. "Some families have indicated that they are unable to conduct these services on their own and we will make available the necessary support to make sure they are buried with dignity," she said. Dube-Ncube called upon the ward councillors, legislature speakers and mayors to ensure that every affected citizen is profiled. The province has also pledged psychological support to all those affected, and the assessment will continue until all victims are accounted for.

During the premier's visit, over 134 houses were reported destroyed in Somkhele and KwaMyeki in Umtubatuba Local Municipality areas. Some houses were completely damaged, leaving families homeless while residents have reported the loss of valuable livestock, including goats, chickens, and cows. In the Harry Gwala District, especially the Greater Kokstad Municipality heavy rains and a hailstorm in Pakkie location left massive destruction. About six households were affected, fortunately with no fatalities, injuries or displaced people reported at this stage. In Umzimkhulu Municipality, four households were affected by heavy rains in Madakeni location with no fatalities at this point. In the Umgungundlovu District, 23 households in the Rosetta Informal settlement under Mpofana Local Municipality were affected while the roof of a block of rental rooms was blown by the strong winds in Ulundi. Ncube-Dube encouraged all those affected to reach out to their ward councillors or other public representatives as the province prepares its interventions. "On behalf of the provincial government, we wish to convey our sincere condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones in this disaster," she said.