UMZINTO — KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, announced on Thursday that the department is intensifying efforts to construct Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) after 196 homes were destroyed by veld fires in Umlalazi Local Municipality. Duma visited affected families in Umlalazi and Mthonjaneni Local Municipalities to provide comfort, assess the damage, and determine the necessary relief.

According to South African Government News Agency, the Gazu family, who lost a member during the incident, was among the families visited. Muntukabongwa Gazu (67) sustained severe burns after the family's five mud houses were destroyed by runaway fires in Ezinyosini, Ward 1 of Umlalazi Local Municipality. Another family member, Japhet Gazu, is currently hospitalized. "We are here to comfort the family following the untimely death of their father. The heart-wrenching story narrated by the Gazu family and the traumatic experience they have gone through calls for all of us to be closer to them and other families," Duma said.

Duma stated that the Head of Department, Mdu Zungu, and the entire team will ensure that the family receives a decent house and assistance with funeral arrangements. "The Temporary Residential Unit for the Gazu family will be finished this weekend to enable the family to bury their father with dignity. We must hasten to point out that the profiling of affected families is continuing to ensure that accurate information is submitted to the Emergency Housing Unit located in the national Department of Human Settlements."

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of extremely high fire danger conditions in the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal today. Affected areas include Abaqulusi, Alfred Duma (Indaka and Ladysmith), Big Five Hlabisa (Hlabisa), Dannhauser, eDumbe, eMadlangeni, Endumeni, Jozini, Msinga, Mthonjaneni, Newcastle, Nkandla, Nongoma, Nquthu, Okhahlamba, Ulundi, uMlalazi, and uPhongolo. The provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs department has urged residents in these areas to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with fire safety measures.