The City of Tshwane’s Emergency Services Department has deployed a team of search and rescue technicians to flood-ravaged KwaZulu-Natal.
The team will support disaster relief measures, following the declaration of the National State of Disaster in the province as well as in some parts of the Eastern Cape.
The 23-member team will join counterparts from the City of Johannesburg, the City of Ekurhuleni, and the Gauteng EMS.
The Gauteng Disaster Management is funding and coordinating the deployment.
Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Charles Mabaso says, “The 23-member team comprising [of] swift water rescue technicians, divers, K9 handlers and an IT technician in a 45-seater bus. Three 4×4 rescue vehicles with an assortment of search and rescue equipment to enable it to augment ongoing search and recovery of flood victims who are reported to be still unaccounted for. Urban Search and Rescue South Africa (USAR) technicians are versatile and multi-skilled technicians capable of carrying out various tasks in disasters and emergencies.”
In the video below, SABC News’ Chriselda Lewis is on the ground in the province:
