Durban — KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube says the KZN provincial government has spent R34 million on vouchers to assist the 7 000 flood victims whose houses were partially damaged to purchase building material supplies.
The premier was addressing the victims at Pietermaritzburg recently.
Dube-Ncube said the 135 mass care centres set up in April across the affected eThekwini metro, King Cetshwayo, Ugu, and Umgungundlovu districts were all shut down on Christmas Eve.
The almost 4 000 displaced residents, and those whose houses were completely destroyed by the floods, were moved to transitional emergency accommodation facilities and 1 799 temporary residential units, she said.
The provincial government displayed care and compassion in action by ensuring that all mass care centres were closed ahead of Christmas so that the flood victims are housed in decent and dignified temporary accommodation, where they would be able to spend Christmas and New Year in peace and harmony.
During her visit, Dube-Ncube also visited those previously housed in Truro Hall in Pietermaritzburg in an attempt to find out if they had settled in their decent temporary accommodation. She also showered the old and the young with Christmas presents.
Apart from bringing festive cheer, the premier also thanked the flood victims for their patience and commitment in working with the government in its attempts to alleviate their plight.
“The flood victims have been through a lot after losing their properties, their loved ones and their relatives to the worst floods recorded in history,” Dube-Ncube said.
“Today we are entering a new chapter where we have closed all the mass care centres which previously housed the flood victims.
“We applaud and appreciate our people’s patience and understanding during the tough times they had to endure while living in mass care centres.
“We want to assure the flood victims that we are now going to enter the second phase, where the provincial government will start building permanent houses for all the flood victims.”
The premier urged the flood victims to keep their temporary accommodation clean and to respect each other.
“Please treat the communal care workers with respect, consideration and care when they clean your temporary houses so that they will remain in tip top condition.
“Respect goes a long way in ensuring peace and harmony among us as residents of KZN, and you must also do the same here at your ‘new homes’,” said Dube-Ncube.
The premier also conveyed her condolences to the families of those who died in festive season road accidents, urging drivers to be vigilant on the roads and adhere to the road rules and regulations to avoid unnecessary loss of life.
Nokuphila Dlamini, who was moved to Frazzer, in Tongaat said, “We are grateful to the KZN government for providing us with such a nice, safe place.
“For seven months life was very difficult while we stayed in a hall with our families where there was no privacy. Today we have our own rooms, and a common kitchen that we share with my roommates. We thank the KZN Premier for bringing back our lives and our dignity,” added Dlamini.
Zinhle Mdaka, 31, who was recently relocated to Astra Building, Russell Street, in Durban said, “We struggled a lot at the care centre for months, but today we are happy that we have a proper roof over our heads, privacy and safety for us as women, and for our children.”
Daily News