DURBAN - THE Clermont-based United Methodist Church of Southern Africa has been a source of refuge for the local community, but on Monday it became associated with tragedy when its structure collapsed on to a house next door, killing four members of the Sokhela family.
When President Cyril Ramaphosa and his entourage, which included KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, visited the family yesterday, the mother of the four children who died wept uncontrollably.
Mmeli Sokhela, father of Nhlanhla Mkhize, 27, Luyanda Sokhela, 16, Sandile Sokhela, 14, and Olwethu Sokhela, 12, said he watched helplessly as the wall of their house collapsed.
“It had been raining all of Monday but we did not expect this when we went to sleep. At about midnight I heard a loud noise as if it was a wave and that was the wall collapsing on us,” said Sokhela, as he battled to control his tears.
The four members of the Sokhela family are among the 259 people who have lost their lives in the rains that lashed the province on Monday.
Sokhela’s life was saved by neighbours who pulled him out of the rubble
“We have nothing but memories of our kids now. All four of them are gone, it is heartbreak that only a parent can know,” Sokhela said.
He complained about the slow response from the rescue services, saying had they arrived when the call for help was made, some lives could have been saved.
According to family members, no funeral arrangements had been made.
Community members, who had flocked to the area to get a glimpse of the president and his entourage, said they were shocked at what had happened.
They added that they were equally worried about the continuing rainy weather and were scared to sleep in their houses, following the tragedy.
Ramaphosa, who had received a briefing from Zikalala early yesterday, told the family that he felt it was important for the government to visit them and send messages of support.
“We are here today to say we have heard of the tragedy that befell this family and we want to say we share your pain and will make means to assist you,” Ramaphosa told the family.
Ramaphosa also visited Lindelani, Ntuzuma, eMaoti, and uMzinyathi to assess the damage as well as to interact with affected families and communities and express his condolences.
Community members said they were hoping that their plight would not be ignored and that they would get equal
treatment to those families and communities whose plight had been brought to the public’s attention through media coverage.
Aside from Ramaphosa and Zikalala, there were other government figures present, including Mondli Gungubele, eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and former mayor Zandile Gumede.
Zikalala pledged government support for the family but did not expand on what the assistance would entail.
Co-operative Governance and Traditional
Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka described the loss of human life as a result of the inclement weather as one of the darkest moments in the history of the province. He said the provincial government continued to work with the national government to ensure that relief was provided to all those affected by the storms.
“The death toll has significantly increased and stands at 259 across the province. We join the families in mourning the lives that we have lost as a result
of the heavy rains,” said Hlomuka.
He praised disaster management teams for the tireless work they have been doing to evacuate affected communities, adding that relief was being provided to residents housed in community halls across the province through collaboration with social partners and government departments.
There are fears bad weather which is expected to continue over the Easter weekend, could cause more flooding and mudslides. Residents have been urged to seek alternative accommodation or use community halls.
According to the KZN Department of Education, more than 500 schools were forced to close, owing to flooding. The department informed school communities that it had temporarily closed all schools that had been affected.
“The flooding has caused a huge disruption and it continues to impact negatively on teaching and learning at schools, while it remains a threat to the lives of pupils as well as teachers. The terrain and level of water has made it extremely difficult for teachers and pupils to reach the schools,” said the statement issued yesterday.
MEC for Education Kwazi Mshengu would visit some of the affected schools in Pietermaritzburg today.