KZN braces for 'ferocious storms'
2009-01-06 14:01
Pietermaritzburg - More "ferocious storms" may "pound" KwaZulu-Natal by as early as Friday, Premier Sbu Ndebele said on Tuesday.
"People need to now gear themselves up... store extra canned food so when it happens, you are not left high and dry," he told journalists in Pietermaritzburg.
He sat side-by-side with members of the provincial executive committee including Finance MEC Dr Zweli Mkhize, Social Development MEC Meshack Radebe, MEC for Education Ina Cronje and MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs Mtolephi Mthimkhulu.
"This morning (Tuesday) we were informed that KwaZulu-Natal must be on a state of alert... We will have more freak storms... and this is our challenge," said Mthimkhulu.
He said the weather bureau was working on a massive awareness campaign.
Killer storm over weekend
The media briefing was called after a killer storm ravaged various parts of the province at the weekend, with the executive committee on Tuesday confirming that 15 people had died.
Local government spokesperson Lennox Mabaso however said on Monday night that the death toll stood at 18.
Ndebele said reports of deaths were still being verified but that 15 had so far been confirmed.
"We have just learnt, about three hours ago, that an ANC councillor in the uMtshezi municipality has become the latest victim after his car was washed away by torrential rains," said Ndebele.
A total of 12 736 people were affected by the freak storm and the estimated cost of damage was R108m.
- SAPA