#KZNFLOODS: Westville woman (55) and grandson (5) still missing

HUNDREDS of posts appealing for prayer and the rescue of Paula Taylor and her grandson, Laeeq Napier have flooded social media.

The two were victims of the catastrophic floods which ravaged large parts of Durban from Monday night. By Wednesday, April 13, the death toll reached 45 with deaths reported across Durban.

This morning however the pair’s family converged at the scene of the disaster at 88 Kingsmead Drive, Westville where their relatives were sound asleep when disaster struck.

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The 55-year-old was with her five-year-old grandson and son when their home was crushed around 01:30 on Tuesday morning. The family is appealing to community members to assist them in searching for their loved ones along with the SAPS Search and Rescue and K9 unit.

Relative, Mlungisi Mhlungu said the two houses above Taylor’s property collapsed taking with it trees and debris which he said caused the roof to cave in.

“Around 01:30 in the morning Taylor’s son, was awake and heard a loud crashing sound before he saw the roof caving in. This caused his bed to tip over and entrap him under his bed,” he said.

Mhlungu said the son was swept out of the property by the rising water leaving the rest of his family trapped in the carnage.

“He was rescued by a neighbour. Unfortunately, the house was completely demolished and there was nothing they could do. Both Paula and Laeeq were nowhere to be seen.”

An emotional Mhlungu said the duo has been missing for more than 18 hours. When rescuers sifted through the debris they unearthed a car along with Laeeq’s bed and clothing.

“We are still in disbelief and shocked about the devastation. I just hope that we can find some answers soon,” said a distressed Mhlungu.

He added that the family had accepted that this case is no longer a rescue but rather a recovery of their loved ones’ remains.

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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.