Hope for Lamontville flood victims

Lamontville residents left homeless by devastating floods have received much-needed relief following the swift intervention from the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, expressed gratitude for the minister’s immediate response during a critical time. 

“Her arrival yesterday brought hope to the victims of floods, especially from Lamontville,” he said.

Mr Simelane deployed a team from the Emergency Housing Unit to work alongside the Department’s Roving Team in providing assistance to affected families.

The rising floodwaters, combined with illegal dumping that blocked the drainage system, caused three houses to be completely submerged in water.  

A number of critical interventions have been announced to support those displaced by the disaster:

These measures include: 

• Emergency Shelter: 225 people from Ward 74 in Lamontville have been accommodated at the Impala Hotel.
• Permanent Housing: Approximately 229 families will receive permanent homes in Georgedale, near Hammarsdale, on land belonging to the eThekwini Municipality. In the interim, Temporary Residential Units will be constructed.
• Building Materials: 93 households will be supplied with essential building materials to begin rebuilding their homes.
• Drainage System Clearing: An excavator is already clearing rubble and waste to unblock the drainage system.
• Relocation Plans: After engagement with Inkosi Makhanya, suitable land is being identified to relocate the affected family.

For many victims, the minister’s intervention has brought renewed hope. 

“We lost everything, but knowing that we will soon have a permanent home gives us some relief,” said one displaced resident.

The relief efforts continue today, with Minister Simelane set to visit KwaMakhutha before proceeding to Ugu District Municipality to assess further damage and provide additional support to affected communities.