KZN floods latest: Victims to get temporary accommodation

Giving the latest update on the response to the floods in the province on Sunday, KZN Premier, Sihle Zikalala, said the construction of temporary residential units has started at Ilembe District, Ugu and eThekwini.

Zikalala said the provincial government is finalising the assessment of some sites in Durban in terms of their suitability for construction.

“We are encouraged by the support we are getting from the national government. An integrated approach involving three spheres of government is assisting to ensure speed and efficiency in the interventions,” Zikalala said.

Zikalala said that although government has reprioritised R1 billion towards disaster relief interventions, the province needs more than R1.9 billion to complete the work.

LATEST ON THE FLOODS

KZN is still assessing the damage spurred by the recent heavy downpours. At least 435 people have lost their lives in the disaster, while more than 50 others remain unaccounted for or are missing.

On Monday, 25 April 2022, rescue workers found another body believed to be a flood victim, but this is yet to be officially added to the death toll.

Rescuers found the body in Molweni along the Umgeni River. According to various media reports, authorities were alerted of the grim discovery by a man who was with his children when they saw a human hand protruding from the sand.

Meanwhile, Parliament is expected to set up a a committee that will oversee the implementation of the State of Disaster that was declared in response to the floods.

The Parliamentary Committee in charge of the National State of Disaster will be made up of 11 National Assembly and nine National Council of Provinces members. The main responsibility till be presiding over the enforcement of the National State of Disaster, which is multi-faceted and will see all the various government departments work together in proactively responding to the aftermath of the KZN floods.