KZN floods | Families turns search for 27 missing loved ones in mortuaries

With the torrential rains that ravaged parts of KwaZulu-Natal last weekend leaving over 398 people dead, more than 27 people have went missing and families have lost hope that their loved ones are still alive.

Distraught families have opted to search for their loves ones in mortuaries as there’s no luck of locating their family members in the surface.

These family members have appealed for assistance to locate people who were washed away following excessive flashy floods.

The Gift of the Givers has partnered with disaster management teams to speed up the process of search and recovery in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Gift of the Givers will provide helicopter accessibility, specialised equipment and funding for the search and recovery operation. Anyone with information about missing people or that can guide the dispatch of rescue teams is urged to contact Mandy on 072 818 2050,” said the organisation in a statement.

“Recovering the deceased for a dignified burial is essential for closure,” the organisation further said in a statement.

The Provincial House of Traditional Leaders (PHTL) in KwaZulu-Natal said is making a clarion call to all traditional leaders in the province to provide their support in mop-up operations.

“We’re calling on all traditional leaders in the province to provide the necessary support to government, Non-Profit Organisations (NPO’s) and Non-Government Organizations in mop-up operations and relief efforts,” said Chiliza.

“The PHTL is also making a clarion call to government and relevant stakeholders to ensure that they involve traditional leaders in all activities pertaining to mop-up operations, relief efforts and rebuilding plans for areas under their authority.

“The recent floods not only caused damage to infrastructure, public facilities and business and residential properties but also the loss of lives,” said PHTL in released statement.

“We’re calling on all traditional leaders in the province to provide the necessary support to government, Non-Profit Organisations (NPO’s) and Non-Government Organizations in mop-up operations and relief efforts,” said Chiliza.

The PHTL is also making a clarion call to government and relevant stakeholders to ensure that they involve traditional leaders in all activities pertaining to mop-up operations, relief efforts and rebuilding plans for areas under their authority.

The recent floods has also caused damage to infrastructure, public facilities and business and residential properties.

Thousands are still homeless as a result of the floods, after their 4 000 homes were completely destroyed.