Durban — The SANDF soldiers deployed under Operation Chariot in KwaZulu-Natal recently visited Emachobeni Village near KwaDabeka, west of Durban, to assess flood damage and respond to the community’s request for humanitarian aid.
Major Mpho Mathebula said that as part of the visit last Wednesday, discussions were held with community representatives regarding their situation.
The soldiers are still in KZN following the destruction caused by flooding in April 2022.
Resident, Gloria “Mamsiya” Sawule detailed the horror of being trapped under rubble for two hours with her 12-year-old grandchild, when their house caved in on them on the night of April 11. Both of them were rescued alive but had sustained injuries which resulted in the amputation of the left hand of Sawule’s grandchild.
Bonani Dlungele detailed how the floods caused her family home to collapse, and valuables such as her ailing mother’s wheelchair were swept away.
Zethu Njilo explained that the eThekwini Municipality had been responding to their crisis in conjunction with the Amaqadi Tribal Authority, with the intention of relocating the affected families.
Mathebula said many houses in the area were either flattened or damaged during the floods, due to massive rocks that became loosened by the heavy rainfall, leaving many families displaced and traumatised.
“Following the discussions held with the community, an appropriate response to the situation would be executed by Operation Chariot. The SANDF will continue reaching out to and supporting communities experiencing water shortages and requiring humanitarian aid, in support of local municipalities, until the end of Operation Chariot,” he said.
Daily News