15 November 2019
The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Moses Mabhida Province (KwaZulu-Natal) sends its deepest condolences to the families of those who were killed by the natural disasters that hit Durban, Pietermaritzburg and the northern region of the KwaZulu-Natal Province these past few days. The SACP also wishes speedy recovery for those who were injured as they receive medical assistance.
Concerted recovery efforts are urgently needed. As such, the SACP calls upon the government, working with the people, to assist those who had their properties destroyed by the tornadoes and torrential rains.
The severe weather conditions have had devastating consequences in areas like eMpolweni, Bergville, Pietermaritzburg and Inanda, destroying houses, as well as injuring and killing people in the process.
While the communique by various KwaZulu-Natal government departments calling for the closure schools and workplaces until further notice is welcome, as it is for safety measures, the reality is that many of these learners and workers are safer at the schools and workplaces than in their respective homes. In their homes they face the reality of worse exposure to the bad weather conditions due to poor housing conditions, as compared to their schools or workplaces. The SACP thus calls for greater solidarity among the people as they push towards recovery.
The SACP also calls upon members of the public to be wary of unverified pictures and videos of natural disasters and not share them further as some of them may be old and unrelated even to our country or the current weather conditions, and thus fake. The South African Weather Services is giving ongoing updates on the weather patterns in the province as well as safety mechanisms that may be undertaken.
The SACP in the province has had engagements with local councillors to open community halls as temporary shelter for those who have lost their homes. The Party also calls upon the Department of Co-operative Governance, working with the Disaster Management, to fast-track disaster relief funds and, for the long term, provide proper government housing to the people.
Issued by SACP Moses Mabhida Province
Contacts:
Themba Mthembu
Provincial Secretary
Mobile: +27 83 303 6988
Nomcebo Msomi
Provincial Media Liaison
Mobile: (+27)76 969 5897
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Dr Alex Mohubetswane Mashilo
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