NHBRC to unveil critical report on structural integrity of mudslide-affected homes in Durban

The National Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), an entity of the Department of Human Settlements, is expected to present its report on the structural integrity of all mudslide-affected houses in uMlazi, south of Durban.

Department of Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane said in a statement on Thursday that the report and geotechnical assessments of the area, expected in the next two weeks, would help determine the intervention required. 

Noting the impact the recent rains have caused to several houses during her visit to the area earlier last week, Simelane directed the immediate evacuation of families whose houses had completely collapsed or had compromised structural integrity, thus posing a danger to occupants.

The DHS minister said while they awaited the report, she was encouraged by the speed and efficiency with which the three spheres of government, National and KZN Department of Human Settlements and eThekwini Municipality have responded to her recent call to evacuate victims of mudslides at uMlazi, H Section.

Over 50 families are being evacuated to Temporary Emergency Accommodation (TEA) as they have lost their houses. 

“I am out of words to express our gratitude to families that opened their houses to accommodate affected families. This is who we are. We are a warm nation. A nation that extends a helping hand to those in need”, Simelane said.

The recent rains led to mudslides and the destruction of about 56 houses, which prompted the Minister to direct that the most affected families be relocated within 48 hours. 

As a long-term measure, the eThekwini Municipality and the Provincial Department of Human Settlements will identify a piece of land that will be utilised to accommodate the affected households with permanent settlement.

At the beginning of April, a blaze ripped through New Rest-Egoli informal settlement in the Western Cape, leaving scores of people homeless.

The Drakenstein Local Municipality has informed the National Department of Human Settlements that 200 informal structures might have been affected by the blaze.

However, the currently compiled list of people who have come forward has a total of 360 structures that have been affected. This was being verified by the two spheres of government.

At the end of March, the Eastern Cape Amatole District Municipality was hit by heavy storms which battered the area, leaving a tale of destruction to properties and infrastructure.  This affected the three municipalities in the Amatole District, which include Great Kei, Raymond Mhlaba and Amahlathi Local Municipalities.

According to a preliminary report from the deployed teams, there was a need to relocate families whose mud houses collapsed during storms to Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) and provide building materials for the communities to rebuild their destroyed structures. 

Marking three months as DHS Minister in March, Simelane pointed out that she had to respond to emergencies such as floods and fires in provinces such as the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. 

The department said this period has enabled the minister to fully understand the challenges faced by the sector.

These include budget cuts, poor contract management leading to the abandonment of housing projects, allegations of fraud and corruption, a trust deficit between the department and its stakeholders, distressed social housing projects, and finding permanent solutions to the country’s informal settlements.

She said these challenges inform them that there is no silver bullet to resolve them.

“The government alone cannot provide solutions. Partnership with the private sector, the public, and NGOs will bring us closer to a permanent solution to our country’s housing challenges”, Simelane said then.

In the recent WeatherSmart Newsletter issued by the South African Weather Service, the meteorological agency said upon receipt of a warnings homeowners must ensure house gutters are clear of debris, ensure valuable items are raised above possible flood levels, dig channels round houses in informal settlements to channel water towards rivers or water canals and make sure that there are sufficient gaps in boundary walls to allow for the natural flow of excess water without causing a damming effect. 

SAWS said residents should be aware of evacuation points such as churches or halls, not in low-lying areas. It said municipalities should ensure that stormwater drains and river courses are cleared of debris and fallen trees. 

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