KZN floods: SANDF prioritises the search for missing bus driver

A local resident from the Nteke area was able to save over 20 passengers from the bus. He has been commended for his bravery. Mbhense saved passengers who were crying for help to get out of the vehicle.

67-year-old Zonda Thusi, the bus driver, is still missing. SANDF Major-General Sandile Hlongwa said that in terms of priority, this is very important. They want to be able to give Thusi’s family closure.

“The excavator that is working here pulled from the other side because in terms of priority to us this actually is very important so that the family can get the closure. Whether we get somebody or don’t. But it will be better [to keep searching] because we know that at least there is nobody. Then the search can continue to other places,”

Sandile Hlongwa, SANDF Major-General

Cogta Minister visits KZN Disaster Management Centre

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has urged municipalities in KZN to speed aid up to affected communities.

Dr Dlamini-Zuma held an oversight visit to the KZN Disaster Management Centre based in Pietermaritzburg. The Minister was taken through the warehouse, reports SABC News. Necessities such as food and mattresses are kept there before it is allocated to various communities.

Minister of Health Joe Phaahla addressed journalists in parliament on Thursday, 28 April, where he brought to light the recourses needed to repair the health infrastructure damaged by the KZN flooding.

According to Phaahla, close to R190 million is what his department needs to pay for the infrastructure damage. Although core health services experienced minimal disruptions, there were a number of healthcare facilities that were affected by the flooding.

66 facilities were affected across four municipalities namely; eThekwini, Ugu district, Umgungundlovu and iLembe. Phaahla stated that despite the impacted healthcare facilities, the department continues to provide healthcare services to negatively impacted communities.