KZN runaway veld fires claim the life of an elderly man

The KZN Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Department has confirmed one fatality from the veld fires that struck in the north of the province on the weekend .

Cogat MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi has sent his condolences to the Gazu family in the uMlalazi Local Municipality who lost a member during the veld fires on Sunday.

The department said the reports it received indicate that Muntukabongwa Mphikeni Gazu (67) was burnt to death when a veld fire set his home in the Ezinyosini area of Ward 1, alight.

Buthelezi has dispatched disaster management teams to provide support to the family who lost everything in this tragic incident, according to a statement by Cogta.

“The King Cetshwayo District is one of the most affected by the wildfires, with uMfolozi, uMlalazi, Mthonjaneni, and Nkandla being the hardest-hit municipalities. In the uMlalazi municipality alone, 11 wards are affected, with one fatality and two injuries reported,” reads the statement.

According to Cogta, the veld fires have impacted 144 people in the district, leaving 53 people homeless.

Additionally, 48 houses were partially damaged, and 27 were destroyed.

“The department is working closely with the municipality to ensure adequate support and relief for the affected families, with social partners setting up soup kitchens,” said Cogta.