Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: We spent the whole day in KwaBester, Inanda and eTafuleni and met with nine families displaced by flooding following this past weekend’s heavy rainfall.
Together with the heads of both departments-Zibusizo Dlamini and Max Mbili-we assessed the work of the two teams.
We were joined by Councillor Sfiso Mkhize representing eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and Ward 54 councillor Themba Mnguni.
We pause to salute the team that worked hard, under very difficult conditions, and has succeeded in pumping out more than 230,000 liters of water that submerged the houses of 9 families.
The team used high-pressure jetting machines and other industrial equipment.
We must hasten to point out that the uncontrolled illegal dumping of solid waste caused blockage of the stormwater pipelines.
During cleaning operations, debris, including a plastic trolley and accumulated waste material, was removed, allowing partial reopening of one stormwater line and improved flow conditions.
A total of 47 people, including children, were unfortunately affected.
They remain our top priority as SA Weather Services has predicted more heavy rainfall in March and April.
Following our interaction with the Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane, and the Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Cyril Xaba, we wish to announce the following: –
●It should be stated that two from the nine families, have houses already built by the department.
●Flowing from above, the other seven families, are not rightful owners of the houses that have been destroyed by the recent floods;
●Due to possible flooding in the area over the next few days, families who are willing will be relocated to ward 3, eTafuleni, transport will be provided. The Portion 295 of the farm, Groeneberg No. 844, is owned by the government.
●eThekwini Municipality is speeding the supply of electricity, water and sanitation services on the farm;
●Due to the illegal dumping and the increase in flow associated with illegal informal settlements, the department is exploring increasing the existing 2 × 900 mm culvert system on the Main Road P93.
Without the illegal settlement upstream, the undersizing should not result in catastrophic flooding as currently observed on site.
Ends
Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements
Update on floods in KwaBesterhttps://t.co/nsA5n5mKwu#ArriveAlive #Flooding @KZNTransport pic.twitter.com/Q0LysIZVn5
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) February 25, 2026
