eThekwini Municipality steps in to help storm victims rebuild

eThekwini Municipality’s storm disaster relief intervention programme has assisted scores of families from Ntuzuma to start the difficult task of rebuilding their homes which were damaged in the devastating storm that hit the city last week.

The municipality provided 130 families with the building materials they need to rebuild their houses.

eThekwini Municipality speaker councillor, Thabani Nyawose, led the intervention programme which kicked off with an inspection of the family’s homes and infrastructure that was damaged in the severe storm.

The city will spend an estimated R19.7 million on rebuilding and repairing the severely damaged infrastructure.  About 250 families were hard-hit by the storm in nine wards of the eThekwini Municipality. Food parcels were also distributed to affected families. 

eThekwini Municipality implements plan to help storm victims

Nyawose said that after conducting an inspection of the affected areas, an intervention plan had been formulated and outlined for city officials to roll-out.

“As a caring city, we are assisting affected families to rebuild their lives. The budget will be used to repair and to rebuild. We will supply building material and repair damage to infrastructure,” he said. 

Nyawose also visited and pledged support to two grieving families from Ward 42 and 56 whose teenaged children died last week.

Meanwhile, eThekwini Municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has appealed to the public to adhere to all of the city’s safety regulations, including sticking to designated swimming beaches and times, after three drownings were reported at Durban beaches this week.

Kaunda’s call comes as thousands of holidaymakers descended on Durban beaches for the start of the summer holiday season.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the drownings that took place off Durban beaches, although it has been established at this stage that the people had been swimming outside designated bathing times and at non-bathing beaches. 

 Kaunda says law enforcement officers, together with various eThekwini Municipality departments, were now out in full force to ensure the safety of the public. 

“We appeal to the public and to our visitors on the beach and in other places to co-operate with the police, municipal staff and lifeguards to ensure their safety,” he said. 

He urged the public to only swim in designated bathing beaches as these have lifeguards.