The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements is set to provide a house to a Durban family on Mandela Day. 

This family was impacted by the February 2025 floods and is still grieving the loss of their matriarch, Zondeni Gcabashe. 

Gcabashe was swept away by floodwaters along with four other individuals. While the other four bodies have been recovered, Gcabashe’s remains are yet to be found.

Gcabashe’s family was part of the flood victims who were evicted from Bayside Lodge during the week and left on the streets before the department moved the flood victims to accommodation in Umbilo. 

Speaking at the accommodation on Sunday, Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said that they wanted to ensure that on Mandela Day, Gcabashe’s family would be the only ones who were not affected by the 2022 floods who would receive a house. 

Duma stated that this would allow the family to conduct their rituals and find closure.

“So we already conveyed the news, which they have embraced, they took it very positively, and we just want to highlight that the only reason this family is going to be on the list, we just have to take that into cognisance,” Duma said. 

Gcabashe’s daughter, Ntombikhona Mhlongo, confirmed her mother has not been found. 

She said she would cry daily and make calls day and night. 

“Today (Sunday), they told us we will get a home so we can continue my mother’s rituals. We asked about continuing it at the flat, but we were told we couldn’t. We were told they would try for a house, we should wait,” Mhlongo said. 

She said this way they can fetch her mother’s spirit, and perhaps it will be revealed where her body is located. 

“If we look traditionally, we cannot find her. And she doesn’t want to be taken to relatives. Maybe if we find the home she was fighting for, maybe she will come to light,” Mhlongo said. 

She expressed gratitude to all three government spheres and the help they received when they were evicted. 

“The area is good, everything is okay,” Mhlongo said about their new accommodation in Umbilo. 

Additionally, Duma visited some flood victims in Umbilo. 

“We found that the people (flood victims) are happy; they report that the situation has improved, and they feel secure,” Duma said. 

Human Settlements head of department Max Mbili said all three spheres of government have strengthened their coordination so the current temporary accommodation occupants will not be evicted. 

“We can give you assurance that it won’t happen. Since Wednesday, we are having meetings to ensure that we put internal controls so that what we saw on Wednesday and Thursday doesn’t happen again,” Mbili said.

“We can give that assurance, but in a nutshell, we are saying through coordination, it won’t happen. It will remain like this until a permanent solution is given.”

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za 

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