PUPILS were released early from schools and
bosses were asked to also let workers go home early from work today.
This was said by the KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka in a media briefing held in Durban on Thursday.
WATCH: HEAVY RAINS WREAK HAVOC IN KZN!
Hlomuka together with the eThekwini municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda held the briefing to give an up-date about the heavy rains in KZN.
Hlomuka said the heavy rain in Durban is more than the one which hit the province in April.
He confirmed that since the rain began on Saturday five people have died.
He said one death happened in Bergville, two in eThekwini municipality and the other two in New Hanover.
"But since the month of October there has been 16 deaths that have been reported in the province. “There are four deaths in Pietermaritzburg, one in Harry Gwala district, three in Uthukela, one in Zululand, three in Umkhanyakude, two in Ilembe and two in eThekwini municipality," he said.
He said disaster management teams are ready to assist residents.
"All government employees must be released from work. Pupils must also be sent home and bosses should release workers. Those that can work from home should be allowed so that they are safe," he said.
However, the eThekwini municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said all teams are also on the roads waiting to assist people.
He said they've received over 90 complaints from Durban residents and they are expecting more.
"Workers are working around the clock without taking a break in order to help people. We call upon drivers to be careful and not speed on the road," he said.
He said people must stay indoors so that they can be safe.
Meanwhile, it’s alleged that a tornado has hit Bergville today.
