Durban — After runaway fires caused havoc across the province on Monday, emergency teams and sectors of local government have called for those affected to reach out for help.
On Sunday, the SA Weather Service (Saws) warned KwaZulu-Natal residents of cold weather with damaging winds and waves resulting in destruction to property, difficult driving conditions and power interruptions as cold fronts move across the country. It also warned of wild fires.
The widespread veld fires affected the King Cetshwayo, uThukela and uMzinyathi district municipalities. The local municipalities of uMlalazi, eMthonjaneni, Okhahlamba and uMvoti were also affected, resulting in damage to houses and vehicles.
ALS Paramedics had also cautioned residents of Durban and surrounding areas of the inclement weather after it responded to incidents where a truck was blown over and multiple trees had fallen on the roads due to the strong winds.
Spokesperson Garrith Jamieson told the Daily News that all was quiet on Tuesday evening in the area West of Durban.
The Msunduzi Municipality and the King Cetshwayo Municipality was also affected and reported that the fires ravaged many households and vehicles at the uMlalazi, Nkandla and Mthonjaneni municipalities and that there were, fortunately, no injuries or deaths reported.
KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga has called on the citizens in King Cetshwayo to seek assistance from the department’s social workers and emergency personnel.
Shinga expressed her concern for the affected communities and assured residents that the government was committed to providing assistance. She also appealed to the private sector to help the affected families.
“We have been informed that some families have lost everything – their homes, clothes and important documents.
“The social workers on the ground are collecting the necessary information to assist our communities. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by these devastating fires,” she said.
She emphasised that a team of social workers had been dispatched to the affected areas and was working closely with emergency personnel to provide immediate relief and support to the affected families.
Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi said that disaster management teams will ensure that residents impacted by the fires receive the necessary assistance.
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Daily News