KZN CoGTA
The KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Department has called on municipalities to tighten up on by-laws that stop people from building homes near rivers. This urgent plea comes after heavy rains caused flash floods in New Hanover on Sunday night, sweeping away three people and damaging homes and roads. Rescue teams found the body of one woman on Monday, but two others—a man and a woman—are still missing. The floods have hit seven districts hard, with uMshwathi Local Municipality suffering the most.
CoGTA MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi stressed that stricter rules could save lives and property. With more rain expected, communities are on high alert. The tragedy has left families heartbroken, like that of 27-year-old Zanele Ndlela, who vanished when her rented room was washed away. As search efforts continue, this event shows the real dangers of building in risky spots and the need for better planning to avoid such losses.
The Flash Floods Strike New Hanover
Heavy downpours on Sunday night, 23 November 2025, turned the Njasuthi River into a raging force, flooding the Shiyabazali informal settlement in New Hanover. Homes built close to the river were no match for the strong currents, which swept away makeshift structures and left chaos behind.
Disaster teams say about 100 people, mostly foreign nationals from Lesotho living in the area, have been affected. Many lost their homes and belongings in the blink of an eye. Roads and bridges took a beating too, making it hard for help to get through at first. Rescue workers from local municipalities, police, and emergency services jumped into action, searching through the mud and water for survivors.
One woman’s body was found on Monday, bringing some sad closure to her family. But the hunt goes on for the two missing people, with teams using boats, dogs, and drones to cover the area. The floods spread to seven districts, but uMshwathi in the Midlands got the worst of it, with rivers bursting their banks and catching people off guard.
Heartbreak for Zanele Ndlela’s Family
The story of 27-year-old Zanele Ndlela has touched many hearts. Neighbours say she tried to escape the rising waters, but the current was too strong. Her rented room collapsed, and she was swept away inside it.
Family spokesperson Ntokozo Ndlela shared their pain: “We heard about this yesterday around 11. We were told she held onto a tree when her room collapsed, but the water was too strong, even the foundation of the house was washed away. We’re hoping to join the search and find her, even if it’s just an arm, so we can have closure. The whole family is devastated, and it has made my mother very sick.”
Zanele’s family is clinging to hope, but the wait is tough. They want to bury her properly and find peace. Stories like hers show how floods hit the poorest hardest, especially those in informal homes near rivers.
Government Steps In: Calls for Stricter Rules
CoGTA MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi didn’t hold back, blaming part of the problem on people building without permission near rivers. “We must agree as government that we need to enforce bylaws now on a much stricter level because even the people, where they have built, the municipality had not given permission for them to build there, but they built there in any case. Therefore, we are calling on municipalities across the province to enforce bylaws strictly because that is what is going to save lives,” he said.
The department has sent teams to help with relief, giving out food, blankets, and temporary shelter. They’ve also warned everyone to stay away from swollen rivers and low bridges. But Buthelezi says long-term fixes mean stopping illegal building in dangerous spots. Municipalities must act tough to avoid more deaths.
This isn’t the first time KZN has faced killer floods. In 2022, hundreds died in similar disasters, leading to big clean-ups and promises for better planning. Now, with climate change bringing more wild weather, leaders say rules must be followed to keep people safe.
How the Floods Hit Communities
The damage goes beyond lost lives. Homes are gone, leaving families with nothing. Roads are blocked, making it hard to get supplies or go to work. Farms in the Midlands might have lost crops, hitting local food and jobs.
Foreign nationals, many from Lesotho working in the area, were hit hard. They often live in cheap, risky spots, making them more vulnerable. Community groups are stepping in with help, but more is needed from government and donors.
The floods affected districts like uMgungundlovu, King Cetshwayo, and others, showing how widespread the rain was. Emergency centres are open, and people are told to call for help if waters rise.
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