A community in New Hanover is in mourning after the body of a woman was recovered following severe flooding that swept away three people and destroyed multiple homes. The search for the two other missing individuals continues amid challenging conditions.
The incident occurred on Friday evening after the Injasuti River, swollen by heavy rains, burst its banks in the Umgungundlovu District municipality. The KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) confirmed that a number of houses located along the river were completely swept away.
Senzelwe Mzila, the spokesperson for KZN CoGTA, provided details on the tragedy. “We can confirm that three people were swept away and we are here right now by the banks of this river where one of the victims is believed to have been entrapped there,” Mzila stated from the scene.
Search and rescue teams, working with police and disaster management services, located the body of one female adult on Saturday. However, the recovery operation has been hampered by difficult terrain. The body was reported to be stuck amongst trees and debris in the heavily wooded area, requiring the use of chainsaws and significant effort from rescue personnel.
The provincial government had activated its teams after the South African Weather Service issued a Level 5 and Level 4 weather warning for the district and other parts of the province, effective from 3:00 p.m. on Friday. The severe weather materialized as forecast, with heavy rains beginning around 6:00 p.m.
In response to the displacement caused by the damaged houses, short-term relief efforts are underway. Mzila confirmed that displaced residents were provided shelter in community halls on Friday night. The department is now setting up soup kitchens and working with the municipality to provide interim relief, including support for affected students and social grant recipients.
Beyond New Hanover, the storm system has caused wider damage. CoGTA has also received reports of flooding from the Amajuba District, which includes areas like Utrecht and Newcastle. Assessment teams are on the ground in those areas to determine the full extent of the damage.
While no further weather warnings have been issued for Saturday, authorities have urged continued public vigilance. Mzila relayed an appeal from the MEC for CoGTA, stating, “The MEC has appealed to residents to ensure that they continue to be vigilant, whether it be on the roads or ensuring that they do not cross any low-lying bridges, as the situation is still volatile.”
The search for the two remaining missing individuals continues as recovery teams work against the clock. Mzila affirmed the commitment to the operation, stating, “We will work around the clock. We will not rest up until we recover the bodies of those that have been swept away.”
The department expects to have a clearer picture of the total number of displaced persons and a more detailed relief plan as assessments continue throughout the day.