Lerato Mbhiza
Another body has been found, bringing the death toll of those who perished in the Ladysmith floods to 12, while 6 people are reportedly still missing.
Seven people drowned after heavy rains started on Christmas Eve and six drowned when a riverbank collapsed in Ladysmith.
Search and rescue teams, led by the SAPS K9 unit, with IPSS Medical Rescue and the Al-Imdaad Foundation for disaster response, are working to find the missing victims.
Sithole-Moloi said the number of missing people increased to 12 after information emerged about a man who attempted to save people and got washed away on Sunday night.
The MEC met the Msimango family in the Roosboom area, a few kilometers from Ladysmith, which was severely affected after they lost seven family members.
“The Msimango family lost seven members with three being discovered while the other four are among the missing.
“Counseling services would be available, preparations for burials are under way, and the departments of home affairs and social development would help those who lost personal documents, ” she said.
The heavy rainfall led to the inundation of homes, damage to infrastructure, and the washing away of vehicles on Sunday night.
The IPSS Medical Search and Rescue team, comprising 60 members and 12 specially trained dogs, conducted rescue operations, recovering six additional bodies.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters, emphasising the need for immediate and sustained support for the affected region.
“We actually recovered a body about 15 kilometers out of town and in the Klip River area, so it’s been a big area…,” said IPSS search and rescue member Tereza van den Berg.
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Nomusa Dube-Ncube has extended her condolences to the families of the flood victims in the province.
“On behalf of the provincial government, we would like to send our condolences to the families of the victims. The MEC for Cooperative Governance Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi has already been on the ground to assess the damage and meet with the families,” said Ncube.
Dube-Ncube visited the scene on Wednesday to oversee the distribution of disaster relief and monitor the ongoing search and rescue operations.
The MEC said the provincial government will offer support to the families of the flood victims in Ladysmith.
“We met with the families of the victims and reassured them that the government will provide full support during this distressing period,” she said.
Co-operative governance MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi also assured the families of the flood victims that they would be supported.
“We met the families of the victims and assured them the government will provide full support during this distressing period,” she said.
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