BREAKING NEWS: Houses destroyed, people swept by floods in KZN

-
GREYTOWN - At least three people have been swept away and homes destroyed in northern KwaZulu-Natal this evening.

KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma is expected to visit  the area by 08h00 tomorrow morning.

"I have recieved distressed calls from various communities in New Hanover, Dalton and other areas in Umshwathi Local Municipality. Roving teams from both human settlements and transport departments, including our Ambassador Ayanda Msweli, are already assessing the damage. I will join the teams at 08h00 tomorrow morning," MEC Duma stated.

He further stated: "Three people have been swept away and reported missing. Some communities have been evacuated to the community hall. I will engage with the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, as part of efforts to strengthen and augment our intervention. Our focus is on short-term housing solutions for the displaced families."

This is a developing story.

Comments

Post a Comment

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

WOMAN KILLED AFTER ROCK THROWN FROM BRIDGE ONTO R24 NEAR BEDFORDVIEW

-
Image
BEDFORDVIEW - A woman was killed on Friday morning after a large rock was allegedly thrown from the Concord Road Bridge onto the R24 freeway near Bedfordview, east of Johannesburg. The rock smashed through the windscreen of her vehicle on the eastbound carriageway, shortly before the Gillooly’s Interchange, at approximately 07:38. The impact caused fatal head injuries. The driver subsequently lost control of the vehicle, which crashed into the roadside barriers. She was declared dead at the scene. Ekurhuleni Metro Police confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened at Bedfordview SAPS. Authorities are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or may have information that could assist the investigation to come forward.
Read more

HUSBAND TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR RAPE OF HIS WIFE

-
Image
FREE STATE - A 50-year-old suspect, who is the husband of the victim, will appear in Zastron magistrate court soon on a charge of rape. This is after the incident that happened at their home in Refeng-kgotso in Zastron.   The 54-year-old victim alleges that on Friday, 14 August 2026, at 02:00, she was at home busy with her clients as she is a Sangoma. Her husband came to her and demanded to be intimate with her. The victim refused as she was busy working. The suspect grabbed her and forcefully took her to the room. He undressed both of them and violated her without consent. After he finished, he got into bed and went to sleep. During the morning of Friday, 18 August 2026, at 07:00, the victim decided to report the incident. A case of rape was opened and is being investigated by the Smitfield Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit.
Read more

Parliament approves extension of driving license card validity

-
Image
CAPE TOWN - Parliament has approved the extension of driving license card validity in South Africa, which will increase the time between renewals from 5 to 10 years. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni confirmed the approval in a post-Cabinet briefing on 30 July. Cabinet approved the extension of the validity period for license codes A, A1, B and EB, Ntshavheni said. However, this will only apply to light motor vehicles. Heavy, commercial and transport vehicles will adhere to the current renewal cycles of between two and five years, and professional licenses will remain on the two-year cycle.
Read more

NEW EVIDENCE EMERGES IN SARDINE MORTALITY INVESTIGATION

-
Image
OVERBERG - Following the previous media statements issued by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (the Department) we can confirm that laboratory sequencing has confirmed that pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) genetic material is present in sampled sardines. Its role in the recent sardine mortality remains under investigation. PHV was detected in both dead sardines and, at lower levels, in some apparently healthy sardine collected from the West Coast. This suggests that the presence of the virus alone may not be sufficient to cause mass mortality.    Scientists are therefore also investigating whether an environmental stressor, such as harmful algae, low oxygen or unusual oceanographic conditions, may have triggered or intensified the event. This remains a hypothesis requiring further evidence. Tests for toxins in sardines collected off Saldanha Bay, the Cape Canyon and Gansbaai, together with an apparently healthy comparison sample from St Helena Bay...
Read more