Neelam Rahim – neelam@radioislam.co.za

3 minute read
14 September 2022
13:30 pm CAT

The devastating consequences of the horror floods that left death and disaster in its wake in KwaZulu-Natal early this year persist. The SA Human Rights Commission says there are still water issues, while unclaimed bodies remain in mortuaries months after the floods that rocked the province in April. The Commission released the findings of their probe in the aftermath of the April floods to Parliament’s Ad-Hoc Joint Committee on Flood Disaster Relief and Recovery this week.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Commissioner Jonas Sibanyoni said the main findings regarding service delivery failures include that most areas did not have access to water.

According to Jonas, they relied on water provision through water tankers. The water tankers did not deliver water at the scheduled times, and the delivery was not consistent.

He said in the West of Ethikwini, officials of the Human Rights Commission in KZN were told that residents had to move the bodies of the deceased persons to main roads. This was for the police officials to be able to collect the bodies and escort them to the respective mortuaries.

He added that the impact of this and the people losing other belongings have been highly traumatic.

The South African Human Rights Commission have established a sub-committee and has relied upon the provincial government.

Meanwhile, there are many issues surrounding the unclaimed bodies in mortuaries. Jonas said it is unsure of the deceased’s family members as they cannot be tracked. It has been long since the bodies have been in the mortuaries, yet there have been no claims for them.

The South African Human Rights Commission recommended that interventions ensure that the displaced flood victims receive proper housing or suitable accommodation, including other needs that should be met.

“The commission will therefore continue to monitor as the constitution empowers and gives us the mandate to monitor.”

Listen to the interview on Radio Islam’s podcast below.