Fellow citizens, as predicted by the weather services the cold front has hit the Province KwaZulu-Natal. We are currently experiencing torrential rains and some areas are already in danger and flooding.

We wish to sound warnings to all our communities especially in the Southern part of Durban, the Durban Basin which includes areas such as uMlazi, Wentworth, Isipingo, Amanzimtoti, Westbrook, as well as area in the Northern part including uMdloti, Tongaat.

We are responding and evacuating 190 people from Tehuis to SJ Smith Hall

We are evacuating people from Othongathi Water ways with the help of SANDF

We urge communities living near river banks to monitor the rivers and evacuate immediately if they notice the river rising.

We urge anyone in risk zones at the moment to evacuate. We make a call to all our councillors to be on the ground and to feed information on any areas that need emergency response.

We are also being warned about the snowfalls and that this inclement wether will from tomorrow move towards the north coast affecting areas such as Richards Bay, Empangeni and others. We are monitoring the situation on the M7 and advise everyone to delay travelling on the roads at the moment.

All disaster teams are on the ground and we urge all of us to play our part as disaster management is everybody’s business.

Fortunately the Defence force SANDF is here and will be able to assist us. Road closures have been effected and we are urging citizens to take heed and make sure you are safe. If you reside in a flood prone area and you are asked by Authorities to evacuate, please obey. We want you to be safe.

All emergency systems are in place and ready to assist you once the need arises.

You can contact the Disaster Operations Centre, by calling. 033 8973963 or 0664752308

Let’s work together to get through this terrible situation which is adding salt to an open wound. We have lost many lives.

Let us save lives and get through this disaster alive

I thank you