eThekwini's urban flooding: Urgent need for investigation and solutions

eThekwini needed a comprehensive investigation and solutions to investigate the root causes of urban flooding suggested political party in the municipality, the Active Citizens Coalition (ACC) on Tuesday. 

The clarion call was made while Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane is in KwaZulu- Natal to discuss various human settlements interventions with the provincial and local spheres following the recent and ongoing floods in the province.

Tsekiso Machike, spokesperson for the minister, said KZN experienced heavy rainfalls which have led to the destruction of houses and infrastructure, leaving people homeless and displaced Simelane, joined by KZN MEC of Human Settlements Siboniso Duma and eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba will discuss interventions made so far and proposed long-term plans for affected households. 

Residents in Durban are grappling with the aftermath with no immediate economic relief to aid in their recovery, said councillor Imtiaz Syed, president of the ACC.

Syed said communities have been left to rebuild without the necessary support, and the cycle continues with each heavy rainfall. Syed said ageing and ailing infrastructure, as well as blocked stormwater drainage systems were a concern.

“The damage has been extensive, homes destroyed, lives lost, and livelihoods shattered. This repeated cycle of devastation is unsustainable and calls for urgent action. The city’s residents are facing immense hardship, particularly in low-lying areas, informal settlements and regions with inadequate infrastructure. This is a crisis that cannot be ignored any longer,” he said.  

Syed called on the municipality to:

• Conduct an immediate, in-depth investigation into the state of urban drainage systems and the underlying causes of blocked infrastructure.
• Provide clear timelines for repair and maintenance of stormwater drainage, ensuring that areas most at risk are prioritised.
• Commit to long-term infrastructure upgrades to improve urban resilience to extreme weather events. 

Syed said this must be a turning point in the approach to urban planning and flood prevention. 

"Many of these informal settlements are built in vulnerable areas with little to no access to basic services, leaving residents particularly exposed to natural disasters," he said. 

Syed suggested that the municipality:  

• Develop plans for the relocation of informal settlements to safer areas, ensuring that residents are provided with adequate shelter, infrastructure, and services. 
• Engage with communities in a transparent and inclusive manner to ensure that relocation plans, infrastructure upgrades, and disaster preparedness measures are aligned with the needs of the people they affect. 

Syed said the municipality must work together with affected communities, civil society organisations, and experts to credible solutions. 

"We cannot continue rebuilding only to be devastated by the same problems year after year. Flooding is not just a natural disaster—it is a systemic issue exacerbated by poor planning, neglect, and a lack of investment in critical infrastructure," he said.

eThekwini municipality mayor, Cyril Xaba said the storms in 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023 were catastrophic events that not only destroyed the city’s infrastructure but have also resulted in the loss of life.

He said flooding during heavy rains is related mainly to the size of the storm and the capacity of the stormwater systems, as well as the nature of the debris carried into the stormwater systems.

“It is for this reason that we are constantly pleading with both residents and businesses to dispose of waste in designated areas. In eThekwini Municipality, the stormwater systems are designed to cope with a one in 10-year storm event flow at critical points," Xaba said. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za