Premier says KZN lacks funds to repair storm damage
Premier Thami Ntuli says KZN doesn't have enough funds to
repair the damage caused by the recent storms.
Ntuli, along with eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, visited flood victims in Inanda and Lamontville on Sunday to assess the damage caused by heavy rains last week.
Nearly 6,000 people and 1,450 houses have been impacted by heavy downpours since last month.
The premier says they're still tallying the costs from last week's disaster, which claimed the lives of three people.
In Pinetown, local pharmacist, Vanitha Jeawon, lost her life on her way back from work, when her car was swept into a river on Thursday.
She was laid to rest on Sunday at the Claire Estate Crematorium Hall.
In uMlalazi Municipality, a 10-year-old girl died after a lightning strike that left four other family members injured in Vikimithi area in Ward 6.
On Saturday, a 21-year-old woman's body was recovered from a river in Molweni.
It is understood the woman was swept away while attempting to cross a low-lying bridge on Friday.
Ntuli says current estimates show that eThekwini alone will require a billion rand for repairs.
"We need money to maintain the infrastructure because it's been there for a while. We are doing everything we can to maintain it but the equitable share that they receive is facing some challenges because it is not enough. We have already said 9.5% is not enough for local government."
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