WATCH: ‘The crocodiles have come out to hunt in our flooded homesteads’

HUNDREDS of people have been displaced after the storms that tore through parts of the country over the weekend flooded their homes, destroyed their meager possessions and sent them flocking to community centres to seek refuge.

In eSikhaleni, the community hardest hit were those who lived alongside the Mzingwenya River.
Some 200 people were evacuated after their homes were submerged to window-sill height in some areas – and their concern turned to the crocodiles who began swimming through their gardens, terrorizing pets and livestock.

‘For 15 years, we have been crying to our local councillors, because this happens each time there is a flood, and nothing is done to assist us,’ said an irate elderly member of the community, who had moved to a small hall, along with other gogos.

In Mandlazini people have been left to pick up the pieces after their houses were also flooded.

Residents gathered around their homes on Monday to collect what was left of their belongings.

They sat together, huddled in damp blankets, while the storm raged through Saturday night, while temperatures dropped as the snow arrived in areas of the Midlands and Drakensburg, blowing freezing winds into Zululand.

ALSO READ: Heavy rainfall recorded in Zululand

Hundreds affected
The King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM) issued a preliminary report regarding the areas that have been the worst affected in the region.

ALSO READ: Richards Bay floods cause much destruction at the SPCA 

According to this 410 people were affected and evacuated from after their homes were submerged in uMhlathuze.
Other areas affected in the city were Dube Village, Port Durnford and eNseleni.

Numerous people were also rescued after their vehicles were washed away.

Twenty occupants were rescued after a bus and light motor vehicle were washed away in Nkayiyane Road in uMfolozi.

In a separate incident four adults were rescued after a taxi was washed away in Evumamanzi and six more were rescued when a light motor vehicle became submerged in Mbabe in uMfolozi.

‘Assessments are ongoing in all the affected municipalities and further reports will be drafted at a later stage,’ said KCDM Municipal Manager, Mandla Nkosi.

Two schools – Grantleigh School near KwaMbonambi, and Felixton College – closed on Monday owing to road safety concerns, and roads in Empangeni, Richards Bay and Mtunzini were blocked by fallen trees and sinkholes.

In the Alton, Richards Bay, entire blocks of industrial property were wholly submerged by river-like water that tore through the area.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Heavy rains and flooded roads in Richards Bay

Massive waves thrashed the shores at Mtunzini, Zinkwazi and Alkantstrand, closing the harbour and beaches.

The Richards Bay Ski Boat Club was pounded by heavy surf, with pictures of the weigh-in area submerged by waves quickly going viral on Sunday morning.