Six bodies were recovered by the search and rescue teams on Thursday in Ladysmith KwaZulu Natal. The six are part of the 10 people who went missing on Sunday when their cars were swept away during the flash floods.

This discovery brings the death toll from the Ladysmith flood disaster to 13 people with 6 still unaccounted for. According to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Coghta), the team, SAPS together with the families of those who were reported missing, are currently in the process of identifying the bodies. MEC for KZN Cogta, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, extended her deepest condolences to the grieving families. "In response to this heart-wrenching tragedy, the government is committed to providing support, including counselling and assistance with burial arrangements to all affected families," she said. The search operation continues today.

ZiMoja reported that the Msimang family from Bester outside Ladysmith lost ten family members when the bakkie they were travelling in was washed away by the floods. Family spokesperson Menzi Msimang said three of his relative's bodies were recovered while the search and rescue teams were still to recover the seven who are presumed dead. "My brother, his wife, children and other relatives met their demise on their way back from church on Sunday. We are still finding it hard to believe that they are all gone just like that," Msimang said. KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the search and rescue teams including police divers, SAPS officers and the K9 search and rescue unit supported by NSRI station 5, the Alfred Duma local municipality, the Al-Imdaad Foundation, Sharaj rescue, Working on Fire and other private organisations recovered the bodies yesterday. "We will continue until all the missing people have been accounted for," said Netshiunda.