District Mayor slams provincial government
Tanya Waterworth
THE bodies of three children who were caught in the fires which swept across Ntambanana, are still waiting to be buried by their loved ones.
They were just three innocent victims from communities who have been plunged into despair after fires swept through the region, destroying at least 1 500 homes and killing at least 20 people.
Ntambanana, uMlalazi, Nkandla and Mthonjaneni received the brunt of the raging flames last week, which saw houses being burned to the ground with many community members left homeless.
uThungulu District Municipality Mayor, Stan Larkan who visited affected families across the region following the fires, has joined the voice of angry community members who have been left with little or no assistance from provincial government structures.
While the District Municipality distributed tents, food hampers and blankets to devastated families, Larkan said community members wanted to know why only Nkandla was declared a disaster area by KZN Premier Sbu Ndebele. Up to 500 Ntambanana and uMlalazi homes were destroyed, 300 from Mthonjaneni and approximately 200 from Nkandla.
Suffering communities
'I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Rural Metro, municipal officials and the community at large for reacting so efficiently during this challenging time.
'The farmers also came to assist, while Wally Brooks of Empangeni Rotary Club initiated a substantial donation of blankets and food hampers.
'But I was astounded to hear that a member of Provincial Parliament, Mr Mthethwa, who was sent by the Speaker of the Provincial Legislature to assess the situation and who during his address to our suffering communities in Ntamabana, allegedly said there were no funds available for incidents of the nature experienced.
'Nkandla was declared a disaster area when other places such as Mthonjaneni, uMlalazi and Ntambanana experienced far worse incidents and we are yet to hear what action is being anticipated for these areas,' said Larkan.
Disturbing
He added that all affected areas should be given the same prominence and such disturbing decisions will be monitored carefully, with 'no stone being left unturned' to ensure everybody receives equal treatment.
'On behalf of the District Municipality, our sympathy goes out to the Zuma clan in Nkandla who lost a small member of their family and whose funeral was held at the weekend.
'We express the hope that such swift action will be taken for all other victims who died last week, including small children,' he said.
The National Department of Social Development had not yet responded to the issue at the time of going to press.
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