Families Ignoring Warnings Build Homes in Disaster-Prone Areas

DURBAN, South Africa – KwaZulu-Natal‘s Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) is alarmed as families continue to construct homes in areas vulnerable to disasters, despite persistent warnings. This concern comes after recent mudslides in Umlazi, where one displaced family shared that their home has been damaged for the third time.

The department emphasizes that while emergency alert systems are functioning effectively, the ongoing disregard for risks by communities is resulting in significant losses. COGTA MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi stated that once displaced families are relocated, the municipality will take steps to seal off the affected area to prevent future settlements.

Buthelezi noted, “Generally, the early warning system is working, especially if you find that people are following us on social media, and they are complying with the alerts on the radio and on the TV. The disaster management centre of eThekwini is very effective. But the problem we’re having is these families who have built their houses on areas which were never supposed to have been approved.”

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges of housing in risky locations and the need for better compliance with safety regulations.