Torrential rains and gale-force winds left a trail of destruction across KwaZulu-Natal this week, with more than 40 homes damaged in Port Shepstone alone.
Ward 24 Councillor Thabiso Jingela, under the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, confirmed the extent of the devastation, describing heartbreaking scenes of families left homeless.
"In my ward, there are many families that have been affected, but I managed to work with 43 families with the help of my ward committee," Jingela said. "Some of the houses are very damaged. Some people don't have a place to stay — it's very sad."
He added that neighbours have stepped in to shelter displaced families while local authorities assess the situation. Jingela has submitted a list of affected homes to the municipality, calling for urgent relief and support.
Tuesday’s violent weather brought gale-force winds, toppled trees, and downed power lines in parts of KZN, while other regions were battered by heavy rain and snowfall.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape continues to reel from deadly floods that have claimed at least 78 lives. Rescue teams are still combing affected areas for the missing, including four children who were swept away while travelling in a minibus taxi.
Six schoolchildren have been confirmed dead, and three others survived the tragic incident.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to visit flood-stricken communities, including Mthatha, today. Speaking from Cape Town on Wednesday, he assured the public that the national government is actively exploring ways to support the Eastern Cape’s recovery efforts.
"We must provide real support to those who have suffered losses," Ramaphosa said.
Clean-up and recovery operations are ongoing as residents, emergency services, and officials grapple with the aftermath of one of the region’s most destructive weather events in recent history.