DURBAN - Hundreds of residents from informal settlements have been left homeless after their homes were washed away by flooding or mudslides on Monday.
Ward councillor for Ward 25 Themba Mkhize said several residents from both the Kennedy Road and Foreman Road informal settlements had lost their homes.
He added that while there had been no reports of fatal incidents at Kennedy Road, there had been extensive damage to several informal dwellings.
He said that in Foreman, it had been reported that two people had died while an estimated 200 were homeless.
Mkhize said that he was arranging accommodation for the displaced residents at local schools, where they will also be fed and receive blankets.
Abahlali baseMjondolo, the shack dwellers movement, said that the damage suffered is indicative of the failures of those in power.
“The damage suffered by shack dwellers is a reminder of the value of human life and that they should not be subjected to such terrible living conditions. They are also a reminder of the shame that we are faced with as a country, that black people are living in such inhumane conditions in their own land,” Abahlali president Sbu Zikode said.
He further stated that the expectancy of a loss of life every time it rains does not paint a good image of the country and that the leadership should account for the living conditions.
“As the movement we have been calling for the improvement of living structures for shack dwellers because even those that are built on proper ground and not on flood plains are also prone to flooding because of their poor structures,” said Zikode.
He further called on shack dwellers to avoid building on areas that are regarded as flood plains.
THE MERCURY