OPINION: Dear (eThekwini deputy head of communications) Mandla Nsele
These current rains are causing destruction and the weather report for Thursday, November 14 (today), is dire, with loss of life and damage to property expected.
My employee, Theressa Busisiwe Dlamini, lives in Umgababa in a home which is below road level. This means she and several other families in the area get affected by the heavy rain.
During the October 10, 2017, floods, her entire house and all the contents was washed away. The house, bricks and roof washed into the Illovo River. She was supposed to get municipal help to rebuild, but no-one gave her any assistance.
Then, during April 2019, the rains again washed through her home and again washed away some walls. She earns a minimum wage. I help where I can, but I am a pensioner myself.
This family consists of an elderly grandmother of 78 years, who cannot walk. There is an 18-month-old toddler in need of day care. Then there's my housekeeper and her two daughters. She is also responsible for her sister’s children and grandchildren. Her one sister drowned during the 1987 floods and the body was never recovered, so Ms Dlamini is justifiably anxious and angry at the lack of help.
The house is in a dire condition, and now we are expecting more rain.
It is time the municipality and the local government authorities inspect this house and give this family some assistance.
I truly hope that someone (other than me) can help this family.
Linda Korte Umbilo