Land identified to build houses for KZN flood victims

Jomba Phiri walks over where his house stood after heavy rains caused flood damage in KwaNdengezi, Durban.

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KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Human Settlements, Sboniso Duma, has confirmed that the government has identified land to be used to build houses for flood survivors.

At least 20 people have lost their lives due to floods in the province since February. Some families say they are still searching for their missing loved ones, swept away by heavy rains.

“It was unfortunate what happened at Shallcross, as you will remember that eThekwini does not have adequate land but there is that not in my backyard tendency and we are even told there was an exchange of shots, but we will address the situation.”

Family searching for loved one

The Mhlongo family from Lamontville is still mourning the loss of a family member who they say has not yet been found.

Relative Jabulani Mdluli is appealing for help.

“All I am asking from the minister is that the team that is searching for our relative must make sure that they update us all the time. There must be proper communication between us and them, just to give us an update of what is happening.”

VIDEO| More rain is expected in KwaZulu-Natal after floods last week:

National government intervention

Human Settlements Minister, Thembi Simelane, has visited the province to assess the extent of damage.

“The ultimate task for us will be a permanent solution. Temporary housing is temporary as the name says it. We are now facing challenges in most instances where we established Temporary Residential Units (TRUs), even our policy indicates what TRUs should be. We are trying to look into towns, and we are looking into possibilities of purchasing land, purchasing of buildings, reworking them and repurposing them into facilities and units that can be permanently given.”

Simelane adds that she will engage the community of Shallcross in the south of Durban, the site of the proposed relocation, in the near future.