KZN declared a disaster area after destructive runaway veld fires

JOHANNESBURG - KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has called for the province to be declared a disaster area after 10 people died in runaway veld fires.

Three firefighters lost their lives on Sunday, while battling a blaze in Mpophomeni in the Umgungundlovu District Municipality.

Last week, seven people died when their homes caught fire in the King Cetshwayo, Ilembe, Uthukela and Zululand districts.

The department said hundreds of people were left homeless and thousands of animals were killed, with grazing land destroyed.

“The MEC has called for the province to be declared a disaster area, emphasising the urgent need for additional support and resources to manage the crisis and aid recovery efforts,” said KZN COGTA spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila.

At the same time, Buthelezi is expected to visit disaster-hit communities today in the Zululand District.

“Various departments across government have been mobilised to provide support to all communities that have been affected by these raging fires.”