Residents salvage the remains of destroyed buildings in Clermont, near Durban.
- The Public Protector will monitor the distribution of humanitarian aid to flood victims in KZN.
- More than 40 000 people have been displaced by floods and landslides.
- Busisiwe Mkhwebane called on the government to use the funds solely for the purpose intended.
The Public Protector will monitor the delivery of humanitarian aid and public service following the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal.
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane on Good Friday visited KwaMashu, Ntuzuma, Lindela and Molweni to observe the devastation first-hand.
During her visit, she heard of community members who feared loved ones were buried under rubble, while others were in need of food, clothes and sanitary supplies.
“Some have lost important paperwork, such as birth certificates and identity documents. Others were taken in by neighbours after their houses were washed away,” she said.
More than 40 000 people have been displaced due to flooding and landslides.
A state of disaster has been declared in the province.
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Mkhwebane has been informed that the government will be building temporary housing for the affected – and a list of all the affected families and individuals will be shared with the Public Protector of SA.
Mkhwebane said:
The PPSA investigation team will then share that information with the Departments of Social Development and Human Settlements, the South African Social Security Agency and the South African Police Service, and monitor progress to ascertain that organs of state make good on their undertakings.
She called on government departments to ensure that resources allocated to aiding flood victims were “used solely for the intended purpose”.
“We call for the state to urgently provide shelter, food, blankets and re-issue documents, such as birth certificates, to the affected. The rebuilding of public infrastructure also needs to commence as soon as conditions are conducive,” said Mkhwebane.
On Friday, the South African Human Rights Commission said it would monitor the provision of alternative housing, food, water and healthcare in the aftermath of flooding in KwaZulu-Natal.
“In the provision of immediate relief, monitoring will be implemented to ensure that human rights are observed,” the commission said in a statement.
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