Latest news with #CogtaDisasterHousingProgramme
The Citizen
02-05-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Umlazi floods: 56 houses collapse, over 200 residents evacuated
The evacuation will resume at 9am today. MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma has announced that the province will resume the evacuation of residents affected by heavy rain and flooding in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, on Friday. The province started the evacuation from 3pm on Thursday, with more than 200 residents earmarked. This follows prolonged rainfall and flooding that resulted in the collapse of more than 56 houses, leaving the residents homeless. Evacuation continued until 2am on Friday. ALSO READ: Weather alert: thunderstorms and damaging winds in parts of the country 'A hard-working team from Human Settlements and eThekwini Municipality's Disaster Management ensure the safety of 50 residents of H Section Umlazi. They were accommodated in a self-catering facility,' said the MEC. 'I received an evacuation report at 3am from our team. The evacuation will resume at 9am today. I will continue to engage with the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, and the Mayor of eThekwini, Cllr Cyril Xaba. This is part of ensuring a smooth evacuation process.' Umlazi mudslide Last week, the province's Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, relocated families whose homes were destroyed by a mudslide in Umlazi. The incident resulted in injuries to six individuals. While three were initially discharged, they were later taken for further medical examination by an Umlazi doctor following complaints of ongoing pain. ALSO READ: Mmatau residents forced to pack up or be trapped when it rains 'As a department, through the Cogta Disaster Housing Programme and in collaboration with our partners, we are committed to providing prompt support to communities across the province. We have commenced discussions with Inkosi Cele of eNgonyameni regarding the potential relocation of these families who have experienced significant trauma. It is evident that their current location is no longer safe and faces the risk of further instability,' said Buthelezi. Aerial footage indicated that several other houses in the area showed signs of structural damage, which could present a future hazard. 'The department will continue to work with all relevant line function departments to ensure that the affected families receive all the necessary support, including that of frontline departments such as Sassa and Home Affairs, as these families have lost crucial documents.' READ NEXT: Are there more floods in KZN than before?
IOL News
28-04-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
Umlazi mudslide: Families to be relocated after devastating disaster
Families whose homes were destroyed by a devastating mudslide in uMlazi, south of Durban, are set to be relocated, KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi has announced. Cogta in a statement said Buthelezi engaged with the Mnguni, Madondo, Mazibuko, and Msomi families on Saturday morning following the mudslide incident, which occurred on Friday, in Ward 85, in uMlazi's P Section. The disaster, triggered by heavy rains, led to the collapse of five formal houses and displaced 16 people. Six people were injured during the incident. Three, who were initially discharged after treatment for minor injuries, were later sent for further medical examination after reporting ongoing pain. One person sustained major injuries. Speaking after meeting the affected families, Buthelezi said: 'We are deeply concerned by the events in this area. As a department, through the Cogta Disaster Housing Programme and in collaboration with our partners, we are committed to providing prompt support to communities across the province.' Buthelezi confirmed that discussions had begun with Inkosi Cele, of eNgonyameni, to facilitate the relocation of the families. 'It is evident that their current location is no longer safe and faces the risk of further instability,' he said. The families had initially been moved to a nearby shelter by municipal emergency services. In response to the broader risk, Buthelezi instructed the Provincial Disaster Management Centre to work with the eThekwini Metro to conduct a full evaluation of the area. Aerial footage had revealed signs of structural damage to other houses nearby, raising fears of more potential collapses. 'We have commenced assessments to determine the extent of the damage, not only to assist those already affected but to prevent further tragedies,' he said. Buthelezi also emphasised the need for multi-departmental support, stating that frontline departments, including SASSA and Home Affairs, would assist families who lost crucial documents. Among those affected is a Grade 12 learner who lost her school uniform and study materials. Meanwhile, eThekwini Municipality said the financial impact of the damage from Friday's heavy rain was still being assessed, and further updates would be provided as emergency teams continued their work. THE MERCURY
