KZN counts the cost of fires

2005-09-26 16:07

Durban - At least two people were killed and hundreds of families been left homeless after their houses were destroyed by fire and bad weather in different parts of KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend.

A spokesperson for the ministry of local government, housing and traditional affairs said on Monday: "Emergency relief supplies to the tune of R600 000 have been distributed to the affected communities. These include tents, blankets and plastic sheeting."

Lennox Mabaso said that between September 22 and 25 heavy storms and fires caused by lightning, resulted in damage in the uMgungundlovu, Uthukela, Umzinyathi, Zululand, Umkhanyakude, uThungulu and Sisonke municipal areas.

"Most of the fires are suspected to have been caused by lightning after the extremely hot, dry and windy conditions experienced throughout the province for a couple of days."

Mabaso said that since the fires started on Friday, the provincial disaster management centre, manned by the department of local government and traditional affairs, was activated.

Aggressive campaign

The centre convened an urgent meeting with all role players to co-ordinate relief efforts and to help those affected.

Mabaso said the MEC for local government, housing and traditional affairs, Mike Mabuyakhulu, had instructed the centre to embark on an aggressive campaign to roll out the Disaster Management Act, to prevent, react and mitigate disasters in the province.

"Early warning systems are being implemented in the province. These include a 24-hour link to the South African Weather Service which provides information on the changing weather patterns.

"This will be linked to all the disaster management centres in the province," said Mabuyakhulu.

- SAPA