Deadly KZN tornado: Residents sift through what's left of their homes

DURBAN - The community of Magwaveni township, north of Durban, has been left shattered following a swathe of destruction after a tornado swept through the area.

Hundreds of families have been displaced after a tornado swept through the area on Monday.

At least 11 people, including a 16-month-old child, have been confirmed dead as torrential rain, flash floods and extreme winds ripped through parts of eThekwini on Monday.

The tornado has left a trail of destruction as debris furniture and the remnants of people's homes were strewn across the township on Magwaveni.

Residents say the tornado began as little hailstones and eventually grew to be larger than golf balls.

Trees, homes and infrastructure were uprooted and gutted entirely.

READ: Eskom urges KZN residents to avoid damaged power infrastructure

RESIDENTS PICK UP THE PIECES

One resident, Siya Ndlazi, struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the situation before his eyes.

"My property is damaged, it has no roof, no windows, no doors. I don't know what to say but hopefully, the municipality will help us. But I don't know where they are going to start if they try to help us here."

Covered in bandages and sitting on what was once her home, Nomondi Zondi, described how the walls caved in, crushing her.

"I heard a noise which sounded like a train was coming, the walls were shaking," she explained.

Sphamandla Dlamini said he and his friends sought cover in a steel container when hail, larger than golf balls started falling.

"We thought we were all going to die, like the world was collapsing. Everyone was shocked," Dlamini recounted.