Friday night's floods have left Mzomusha residents in a devastating situation after their properties were flooded together with their belongings.
Image: Pictures: TUMI PAKKIES/Independent Newspapers
Residents of Mzomusha in Bester, Inanda (Ward 54), have resorted to standing along the main road in the area and appealing for donations from passing motorists after Friday’s heavy rains caused flooding and left them homeless.
Community members said the affected residents made appeals for assistance from authorities, but they claimed they received no help, which prompted them to reach out to Good Samaritans.
Although no fatalities have been reported, the homes of seven families were damaged by the downpours, and they are presently residing with neighbours as help has yet to arrive.
Sphindile Ndumo (26), a resident of Mzomusha, confirmed that some community members attempted to solicit donations from passing motorists.
“We attempted to contact the ward councillor, and he told us on Saturday that he was unable to help us. Therefore, as a community, we tried to get donations from motorists,” said Ndumo.
Ndumo said the flooding was severe, with only the roofs of some homes visible in some instances.
Local ward councillor Themba Joseph Mnguni confirmed the devastation the heavy rains had caused and said some of the affected families were among those who had already been placed in temporary shelter after the floods of 2025.
Mnguni said nine families were affected by the 2025 floods, and that seven of those families were affected once again by the latest deluge.
“I had already arranged for the nine families to receive temporary shelters. The shelters were built, but when they were completed, they were vandalised because they were left unattended,” he said.
Mnguni said the shelters have since been repaired and the affected families were later issued with keys to the temporary houses. They were awaiting relocation, which required coordination between the Human Settlements Department and the eThekwini Municipality.
“Human Settlements said they would arrange with eThekwini Municipality so that when the families move into their temporary shelters, they are all transported at the same time. They cannot be moved one at a time. Unfortunately, the floods occurred before they could be relocated,” said Mnguni.
He denied claims by a community member that he had told residents he was unable to assist them, saying this was untrue.
He said that while he was addressing residents, he was informed that his driver had been attacked, which resulted in them leaving the area.
“My driver was attacked and assaulted by a youngster. I told the residents that I was there to assist them, and that I was leaving because of the attack,” he said.
Mnguni also said that the Human Settlements Department will assist affected schoolchildren who lost learning material and other personal belongings.
DAILY NEWS