14 dead, 25 injured in KZN veld fires

As the province continues to count its losses from recent runaway fires, 14 fatalities have been confirmed, with a further 25 people badly injured and 3 491 displaced.

The numbers were confirmed by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli after an oversight visit to Kenville Informal Settlement in Durban, where over 400 people were left homeless.

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According to Ntuli, King Cetshwayo District Municipality was also heavily hit, with 214 houses destroyed and 117 partially damaged.

He said fires have also affected key infrastructure, such as electricity and water, as reports from disaster teams indicate the agricultural and forestry sectors are among the most affected.

Thousands of hectares of grazing land, forestry and sugar cane were burnt.

“Hundreds of subsistence farmers in various districts were also affected, leaving others with no grazing land for their livestock. Some lost their livestock, while game reserves lost animals.

“Approximately 140 farmers have been reported to have been impacted, with at least 49 per cent in the category of subsistence farmers,” said Ntuli.

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The premier added that the damage was extensive to these farmers because they are more vulnerable as they farm on open communal land with fewer firebreaks.

“This has the potential to put a strain on food security and influence food prices,” said Ntuli.

He added that the respective MECs, particularly transport and human settlements, co-operative governance and traditional affairs, as well as agriculture and rural development, are working closely with those affected to find solutions and, most importantly, assist those in need.

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