The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Nomusa Dube-Ncube has on behalf of the Provincial Government expressed her heartfelt sympathies with the people of uMsunduzi whose houses were flooded during heavy rains yesterday afternoon.

Reports indicate that many houses were badly destroyed after a heavy downpour resulted in the UMsunduzi River breaking its banks and causing massive flooding. This incident has caused a lot of damage to property and disrupted people’s lives.

The Premier is in touch with the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Disaster Management Chaired by MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Sihle Zikalala which will be conducting preliminary assessment of the damage together with the District and Local Mayors.

Premier Dube-Ncube has called on disaster teams to provide immediate assistance with priority given to children who are currently writing exams, the elderly and families that are homeless at this stage.

The flooding incident comes as the province is hard at work rebuilding infrastructure and restoring services that were disrupted during the April and May floods.

Premier Dube-Ncube calls on all citizens to remain vigilant and to be on full alert as we are in the season of unpredictable weather conditions induced by climate change which are threatening human lives.

Premier Dube-Ncube has commended the Disaster Management teams, Councillors and Mayors who were the first responders in aid of the affected communities last night.

“We thank the Almighty that no deaths or casualties have been reported so far, but the Provincial Government will continue to closely monitor developments and provide ongoing support to the affected communities including socio-psychological support where appropriate,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.

Ends

Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government on behalf of Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube

For more information contact Head of Provincial Government Communications Lennox Mabaso on 082 884 2403 or KZN Premier Media Liaison Gugu Sisilana on 082 889 3464