Durban – Motorists in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have been warned to brace themselves for severe weather conditions and take all necessary precautions.
The South African Weather Services on Sunday, (2 March 2025), issued a level five warning for heavy rains that are likely to persist into the evening.
Emergency services in several areas have already begun warning communities about the weather conditions calling on them to remain vigilant.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is urging motorists who will be
travelling to KZN to check the weather forecast before embarking on their journeys.
RTMC warned motorists to avoid travelling at night “where possible”.
In case of an emergency call:
Crisis centre for medical and ambulance response – 101777 Police – 10111 Emergency response for N1/N4 toll routes – 0800 029 999. Emergency response for N3 toll route – 0800 63 4357
Meanwhile, reports say that 11 people have died in floods and mudslides in eThikwini in recent heavy rains.
Heavy rains, accompanied by strong winds, devastated many parts of KZN on Monday, (24 February 2025).
The most affected areas were in eThekwini, where seven people died, while the other four deaths were recorded in Nquthu, Eshowe, and KwaHlabisa.
On Saturday, KZN Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma attended the funeral of civil servant Bongisisa Nkwanyana, who perished in a mudslide in KwaMakhutha.
“I heard from his Supervisor, Ngubane that he was an exemplary civil servant at the newly built Dr Pixley ka Isaka Seme Hospital,” MEC Duma said.
“The whole government lost a machinery that ensured the quality service to the community.”
Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane said she has noted the scale of the disaster and commended NGOs such as the Red Cross for partnering with the government to assist those in need.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, (4 and 5 March 2025), Minister Simelane will evaluate the responses and interventions made thus far to alleviate the situation of the victims of the disaster.
Minister Simelane will be joined by MEC Duma and the Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Councillor Cyril Xaba, in visiting the impacted areas.
A joint operation by the three spheres of government, the National and Provincial Departments of Human Settlements, and eThekwini Municipality saw 47 households being moved to a temporary emergency accommodation on 27 February 2025.
