48 people still missing following devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal

The authorities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have confirmed that 48 people have still not been accounted for following last month’s devastating floods in the province.

The floods killed over 400 people in KwaZulu-Natal and destroyed homes and businesses and key water and road infrastructure.

In a statement, the provincial department of Co-Operative Governance says the death toll stands at 445.

The statement revealed that over 7200 homes were destroyed. Damages are estimated to sit at around R25 billion for public and private infrastructure.

The provincial government maintains that search and rescue operations for the 48 people who remain missing, continue.

In KwaCutshwayo, outside Marrianhill, west of Durban, over 20 people are still missing, largely among four families.

Video: KZN Floods | Aerial view of the damage [ 13 April 2022]

Families yet to find bodies of loved ones following KZN Floods

Several families in and around Durban have not yet found the bodies of their missing loved ones after the devastating floods.

Sinenhlanhla Hlope was one of nine family members at home in KaCutshwayo, when mudslides collapsed and washed away their home.

The body of just one family member, her mother, has been found. She says seven of her loved ones remain missing, among them, her one-year-old son.

“There are eight members from our family who were washed away by floods, we believe they are late, we found our mother at the Desai River few kilometres away from here, dead. We have buried her, but the other seven people are still missing,” says Hlope.

Hlope called on those tasked to search for the missing people not to give up.

“We will only get closure by at least burying our loved ones,”says Hlope.

Video: KZN FLOODS | KZN family appeals for assistance after loosing four members [23 April 2022]

Video: KZN FLOODS | Desperate Durban family visits mortuaries in search of missing loved ones [ 2 May 2022 ]