Celani Sikhakhane
The heavy rains that hit some parts of KwaZulu-Natal once again have brought hope to a family who lost 10 relatives during last month’s deadly floods.
The Mdlalose family from the uMzinyathi area in Inanda described the weekend floods as a blessing in disguise that will help in recovering the four remaining missing relatives.
Thokozani Mdlalose told Scrolla.Africa that on Sunday, after heavy rain hit Durban, a body that they believe is that of their sister was unearthed by floods.
“I’m preparing to go back to Durban to verify if it really is her. The place where the body was found is not far from home, especially where others were recovered,” Mdlalose said.
“So I believe the recent rain is turning out to be a blessing for us because more bodies that are buried under the sand and debris will be taken out by these floods.”
He will be driving down from Johannesburg to Durban for DNA testing because the body was unidentifiable.
Mdlalose lost his home when the floods swept the house away in April. The bodies of six of the 10 family members he lost have been recovered, and buried.
The rain that started on Saturday has caused major damage in and around Durban.
In Adams Mission, south of the city, a man and three children were found dead after the bakkie they were travelling in was swept away by floods on Saturday.
The six-year-old child of the man’s neighbour was not found.
The KZN government has called on people who have homes in low lying areas to vacate with immediate effect to avoid any danger.
Areas like Ilembe District, Zululand, uMkhanyakude have also been affected.
The recent floods come at a time where most people are still struggling to rebuild their homes and others are still staying in temporary shelters such as churches and community halls.
