DURBAN – KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sipho Hlomuka has pleaded with communities across the province to dispose of their litter responsibly, and not in stormwater drains.
This is after the heavy rains experienced in some parts of KZN caused massive damage to properties and road infrastructure.
On Tuesday the department dispatched disaster management teams to incidents in Durban, La Mercy where parts of a road collapsed and resulted in a section of a house being washed away.
In KwaDukuza, Ward 16, a house collapsed as a result of the heavy rains.
“From the assessment done by the department, the failure to dispose of litter properly by residents contributes to the blocking of stormwater drainage systems,” said Hlomuka.
He has called upon the municipalities to ensure that stormwater drainage systems are regularly maintained to limit the risk of water building up.
The MEC also urged residents to remain alert as Spring brings with it heavy rains.
THE MERCURY