KZN Premier Thami Ntuli Assesses Flood Damage in Inanda, Residents Criticize Government Response
INANDA, KWAZULU-NATAL – KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli expressed deep concern over the destruction caused by recent floods in the province. His comments came after the South African Weather Service issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for heavy rainfall on 11 March 2025.
During his visit to Inanda on 16 March 2025, Ntuli met with families who lost their homes in the devastating downpours. He lamented the widespread destruction and confirmed that three lives had been lost since the floods began. Ntuli assured residents that the provincial government was assessing the damage and would provide immediate relief. He also acknowledged that other areas in Durban had been severely affected.
The eThekwini Local Municipality warned that essential services, including water and electricity, were disrupted. However, restoration efforts were underway.
Impact of the Floods
The heavy rains, which began on 11 March, caused severe flooding in several parts of South Africa, including Gauteng and the Free State. Durban was hit particularly hard, with floodwaters claiming the life of one woman. On 13 March, a resident was swept away in the floodwaters, and rescue efforts were unsuccessful.
Public Outrage Over Government Response
Many South Africans took to social media to criticize the government’s response to the disaster. Commenting on SABC News’ Facebook post, some accused officials of neglect, corruption, and inefficiency:
Siyabonga Zulu: “What has he done since he was selected as premier?”
Salim Khan: “Politicians are the biggest devastation.”
Koos Storm: “And the previous damage relief fund was looted dry. Waiting for the next.”
Nare Joe Maupye: “Now I understand why some families from KZN moved to Gauteng for good.”
Jacob Coetzee: “I’ve been to Chesterville in Durban, and I saw that houses have holes inside.”
Ongoing Concerns Amid Continuous Rainfall
In a related development, Briefly News previously reported that two bodies were recovered in the Ugu district following severe storms on 17 February. The death toll from that storm reached nine. Sboniso Duma, the MEC for Roads and Human Settlements, urged residents to remain vigilant, warning that the rainy season was far from over. He also noted that the province has suffered monthly fatalities due to extreme weather since the start of the year.
Source: Briefly News