COGTA's Hlabisa appeals to residents affected by heavy rain to 'stay at home'
The South African Weather Service has again issued warnings of severe thunderstorms and rain for Monday.
Heavy rains have caused flooding in parts of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality on 13 March 2025. Picture: Nhlanhla Mabaso/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Severe weather in some parts of the country, most notably KwaZulu-Natal, is having a devastating impact on the way of life for many.
The South African Weather Service has again issued warnings of severe thunderstorms and rain for Monday.
The North West, the Free State, the Northern Cape and Gauteng are among the provinces experiencing inclement weather, while KZN has already been declared a "disaster-affected area".
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa said: "We want to mobilise every sector of the community, even employers. Once the alert has been made, they must not compel the workers to come to work even when there is bad weather because we will keep on losing people wanting to cross the river, wanting to cross the bridges because they know if I don't go to work I might lose my work."
He appealed to residents in affected areas to be extra cautious.
"If it is heavy rain, rather stay at home. If it is not a life and death that you must go but you must be careful. Once you see the water is not giving a clear picture of the state of the bridge, don't cross that bridge. Rather stay or look for other options of getting to your destination."
The minister added that many children travelled long distances to get to school and some were forced to cross rivers.
"Even in broad daylight, we saw pictures were they were showing schoolchildren having to take off their shoes and trousers in order to cross the water. We want to appeal to parents, when it is heavy rain, do not allow children to go to school."