The KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements Department says more than 100 people have been placed in temporary shelters after severe flooding devastated an informal settlement in New Hanover in the province’s Midlands. The settlement, built on a flood plain, was overwhelmed by heavy rains overnight, leaving residents displaced and infrastructure badly damaged.
Search and rescue teams have recovered the body of one of three people swept away by floodwaters, while efforts continue to locate the remaining two missing individuals.
Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said the department is moving swiftly to secure Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) for affected families.
“The Minister has delegated a team. I have already spoken to the Mayor and council to identify an area for TRUs. We take this seriously,” Duma said. “We were engaging with the leadership of uMshwathi to identify a suitable area for temporary accommodation. We understand the scale of the disaster.”
uMshwathi Mayor Mandla Zondi confirmed that foreign nationals including residents from Lesotho are among those displaced. He said some opted to seek their own alternative accommodation before officials could complete verification processes.
“We tried to relocate them to the community hall and the school, but because many are foreign nationals, verification was required,” Zondi explained. “Some chose to find their own accommodation, but our offer still stands for anyone displaced. We are ready to accommodate them in the hall and the school.”
Disaster recovery efforts remain underway as authorities continue assessing the full extent of the damage.