KZN floods: Woman emotionally describes losing her elderly mom

KZN floods have again claimed the lives of several people following disruptive rains that hit the province on Tuesday night.

One of the mostly affected areas is Lamontville in Durban. A woman who lost her elderly mother after heavy rains on Tuesday, 25 February, spoke about her tragic loss, reported IOL. The KZN flood victim expressed regret at not being able to save her mom.

WOMAN DESCRIBES LOSING HER MOM IN KZN FLOODS

As of Wednesday, 26 February, the bodies of seven people were reportedly recovered after being swept away on Tuesday.

Ntombikhona Mhlongo was one of the families who lost their loved ones in KZN floods recently. She detailed what led to the incident and expressed how heartbroken she was about losing her 60-year-old mom.

She said water entered their home, which is a shack they were displaced in in 2021 after floods in the province. After their shack got flooded in the late hours of Tuesday night, Mhlongo, her family and some neighbours tried to get away.

‘I WAS NOT ABLE TO SAVE MY MOTHER’

Mhlongo further explained that they attempted to wade through water during the KZN floods. She said the water was up to her chest, and they were holding on to poles. Sadly, her mom and others were washed away due to the strength and depth of the flowing water.

“We had nowhere to run to because we were between a river and the flowing water on the street. We were trying to hold on to poles, but the water was too strong, and that’s how my mother and the others got washed away. It hurts that I was not able to save my mother.

“We were all holding on to the poles, but she didn’t have enough strength because she is old. I still cannot believe what happened last night. I am angry because this is not the first time this has happened. We had a similar situation in 2022, but this time it was worse,” Mhlongo emotionally expressed.

At the time, search and rescue operations were underway following the inclement weather. Mhlongo’s mother, Zondeni Gcabashe, was yet to be found after the KZN floods.

HAVE YOU SUFFERED ANY LOSS DUE TO THE KZN FLOODS?

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