Families grieve children killed in KwaZulu-Natal's 'demonic' winds and rain that destroyed their homes

Victims of the rain and strong wind that claimed at least five lives, injured 14 people and devastated parts of northern KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend have described what they saw as “demonic”.

In Mtubatuba, more than 100 homes were destroyed and most of the people who died were children, including 13-year old John Khumalo from eMapheleni.

His aunt Jabulisile Mthethwa said the grade 6 pupil died when the house he was in with his mother and grandmother collapsed in the strong wind.

“We are especially sad about the way it happened. We're still trying to make sense of what happened. I guess it's God's will because his mother and grandmother who were in the same house survived. We just have to accept it, difficult as it is.

“There's a lot of damage caused by this demon of a thing, though it lasted for a short while. It was a quick thing that left a huge mark in this area.”

Another child who died was three-year-old Siyethemba Sibisi from Emachibini village.

Her uncle Mncedisi Sibisi said he heard the house Siyethemba and her mother were sleeping in falling down and rushed to check on them.

He found his sister screaming and trapped in the collapsed house and tried unsuccessfully to help her out. He managed to free her with the help of neighbours.

With Siyethemba, Sibisi said only her small feet were visible from underneath the debris.

“When I saw her I knew immediately she was no more. It looks like the wall fell on her head and she passed way. She was only three years old, a very bright child who loved her uncle. They were still asleep when it happened.”

The part of the house still standing was shielded by trees which were destroyed.

Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube led the provincial government delegation who visited the families on Monday.

She was joined by co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi, human settlements MEC Sipho Nkosi and Umkhanyakude mayor Siphile Mdaka.

Dube-Ncube said they were still assessing the full extent of the damage, but confirmed damage to roads, schools and homes.

In Emachibini, more than 120 homes were damaged or destroyed.

Families needing assistance, including with funerals, would be helped.

“We've asked the departments of public works and education to attend to schools because we don't want learners to be disrupted, especially as they prepare for exams. Our immediate response will be to ensure schools are ready.”

They had also written to the Presidency, asking for help, including the defence force who have already arrived to assist. Their role would include clearing the debris. 

“It will be hard, especially because of the financial constraints we're experiencing. We'll have to pull resources from some of the projects so we prioritise where we need to. We will only know how much the damage will cost after finalising the assessments.

“In the meantime we're asking various departments for approvals so we can deviate and use some of the resources available to make immediate interventions and we can sort out the paperwork later. Those will be replaced by the resources from the national government.”