Authorities are urging municipalities to enforce bylaws that prohibit building homes near rivers. This follows the heavy rains that struck New Hanover at the uMshwathi Local Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, on Sunday night.

Three people were swept away by flash floods that caused extensive damage to homes and roads.

On Monday, rescue teams recovered the body of a woman.

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has confirmed that seven districts across the province have been affected by heavy rains with uMshwathi being the hardest hit.

MEC for CoGTA, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, says, “We must agree, as government, that we need to enforce bylaws now, on a much stricter level. Because even the people where they have built, the municipality had not given permission for them to build there, but they built there in any case. Therefore, we are calling on municipalities across the province to enforce bylaws strictly, because that is what is going to save lives.”

Meanwhile, the family of 27-year-old Zanele Ndlela who is one of the people still missing is devastated.

According to neighbours, Ndlela tried to escape the rising waters, but the strong river currents swept away her rented room with her inside.

Family Spokesperson, Ntokozo Ndlela says, “We heard about this yesterday around 11am. We were told she held onto a tree when her room collapsed, but the water was too strong, even the foundation of the house was washed away. We’re hoping to join the search and find her, even if it’s just an arm, so we can have closure. The whole family is devastated, and it has made my mother very sick.”