Lerato Mbhiza
Five people were killed and at least 11 others have been reported missing after multiple cars were swept away by a flash flood in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, on 24 December.
Preliminary police reports indicate that the riverbank along Bell’s Spruit collapsed just before midnight on Sunday, leading to heavy flooding in the area.
Among the flooded areas was the local SPCA and Caravan Park. Several vehicles have also been reportedly washed away.
KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi said on Monday afternoon five bodies had been recovered while six other people remain missing.
On Christmas Day, the MEC’s spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi said the number of missing people had increased to 11.
“The number changed later as families came forward and indicated that more people could have been in the cars that were washed away,” he said.
The Mayor of Alfred Duma municipality, Zama Sibisi said the disaster management teams are actively responding to the crisis.
Samantha Meyrick, spokesperson for IPSS Search and Rescue, has stated that their team is collaborating with SAPS K9 Search and Rescue.
The search for the missing individuals continues.
The South African Weather Services (SAWS) in KwaZulu-Natal has issued a Level 2 warning for various parts of the province, effective Monday and extending into Tuesday.
According to weather forecaster Thandiwe Gumede, 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms is anticipated across the region.
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