Hundreds of residents in Tongaat continue to grapple with delays and inadequate support as they attempt to rebuild their lives following a devastating tornado that struck the area in June. The disaster claimed the lives of seven people and caused widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.
Local resident Teddy Naidoo expressed frustration, stating that government assistance has been insufficient. "The support from the government is still lacking; they haven't done enough to assist our residents. This is really sad. We are still struggling through the process," said Naidoo, who has yet to rebuild his home.
Many families remain in damaged houses or are forced to live in makeshift shelters as they await further aid. Despite this, Naidoo praised the efforts of disaster response groups, highlighting the contributions of non-governmental organisations and community members.
"Various organisations, like the Gift of the Givers, and individuals did come together to form the Tongaat Disaster Relief Committee. They've worked tirelessly to assist affected families," Naidoo added.
While community-driven relief efforts have provided some respite, many residents are calling for more comprehensive government intervention to help them recover fully from the tragedy.