The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal has called for immediate action to improve disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience following a destructive storm that ravaged the province over the weekend. The severe weather affected large parts of KZN, including uThukela and uMzinyathi, where hundreds of homes were severely damaged.
The thunderstorm uprooted trees, tore off roofs, and disrupted electricity and water services, leaving countless families in distress. Mlondi Mdluli, the DA’s uMzinyathi constituency head, expressed heartfelt sympathies to those who lost their homes and belongings due to the disaster. Initial assessments suggest that hundreds of houses were destroyed in areas such as Thulini, Fabeni, Lwezulu, and Ngqungqulwini. Municipal disaster teams are still evaluating the full extent of the damage, and the number of affected households is expected to rise.
Mdluli commended the swift response from organizations and emergency services, including the Red Cross, Eskom, and local municipal disaster units, which have provided critical relief. These groups have delivered food parcels, blankets, and temporary shelter to the affected families. DA councillor Sibusiso Mbatha has been on the ground since the storm hit, working directly with residents to guide them to appropriate relief channels and ensure aid reaches those in need.
The DA urged the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and the uMzinyathi District Municipality to expedite relief efforts and ensure comprehensive assistance for all affected families. “This storm has highlighted the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in KZN,” Mdluli emphasized. “The DA will continue to advocate for better planning and resource allocation to protect communities from recurring natural disasters.”
Cogta spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila reported that thousands of individuals have been affected, with ongoing assessments in Msinga Local Municipality revealing that 467 houses were destroyed across wards 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 21. In Abaqulusi, over 200 households were damaged in wards 14 to 19. Mzila noted that this storm adds to the R3 billion in damages caused by severe weather between December and January, which predominantly impacted public infrastructure like roads.
On Monday, MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, accompanied by Eskom, the Red Cross, and other social partners, visited affected households to distribute interim relief. Buthelezi highlighted ongoing efforts by disaster management teams, especially in response to the severe storm that struck Ulundi on Monday night, causing significant damage to homes and the Old Legislature.
“Our teams are working tirelessly across the province, in collaboration with Eskom, to restore power to communities affected by the storm,” Buthelezi said. “We are also coordinating with relevant departments and social partners to ensure that affected communities receive the necessary relief and assistance.”
Meanwhile, Météo-France reported that tropical storm Faida, which had been influencing the region’s weather, has significantly weakened. The storm is expected to dissipate near the Malagasy coast within 24 hours, with little chance of redevelopment in the Mozambique Channel.
