COGTA mobilises emergency units following Friday’s floods

Car that was washed away by floods in KZN.

The KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department says disaster management teams have been deployed to various areas affected by Friday’s severe floods.

Heavy rain and storms have left a trail of destruction in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, with eMadlangeni, Dannhauser, and Newcastle being the worst-affected municipalities.

The department says infrastructure, including health facilities and roads, has been damaged.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa urges communities to exercise caution following severe weather warnings issued by @SAWeatherServic which may lead to localised flooding in some areas.

Stay informed, heed official warnings, and prioritise safety at all times!#StaySafe #WeatherAlert pic.twitter.com/gTmHiW8Ln1

— NationalCoGTA 🇿🇦 (@NationalCoGTA) December 19, 2025

“Our teams are on the ground. The MEC for COGTA, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has deployed our disaster management teams who are working together with our social partners, NGO’s, and the communities to assist those who have been affected to rebuild their lives. From our assessments, over 150 houses have been severely damaged and over 50 have been completely destroyed. Remember, there was large golf ball-sized hail that hit these areas. So the communities are traumatised, but we’re doing the best that we can to support them and to ensure that they get all the relief that they need,” says the department’s spokesperson, Senzelwe Mzila.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa urges heightened vigilance amid expectations of above-normal rainfall and thunderstorms during the festive season.#StaySafe #FestiveSeason #EveryMunicipalityMustWork pic.twitter.com/zYkr9xOSuM

— NationalCoGTA 🇿🇦 (@NationalCoGTA) December 18, 2025