THE heavy rain that poured around Durban on Saturday, 13 January, left a trail of destruction.
Several homes were flooded, and tragically, a woman (55) and her grandchild (4) died while they were sleeping at the Zwelisha shacks in Durban, while some residents in Tongaat, Durban, lost all their belongings.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) spokesman Prem Balram said residents assessing damages from rains discovered a collapsed wood and iron home next to a river.
RUSA responded after they were unable to locate the woman that lived in the home.
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"Reaction Officers were immediately dispatched and arrived on the scene with the Verulam SAPS. First responders, with assistance from the residents, sifted through the debris. They discovered the lifeless bodies of a woman and her grandson on the bed. The boy is believed to be approximately four (4) years old," he said.
He said it is believed that they were asleep when the home caved in.
KZN cops spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that police in Verulam opened an inquest docket for investigation after a 55-year-old woman and her 4-year-old grandson were found dead at the Zwelisha informal settlement.
"Police responded to reports of a structural collapse, and upon arrival, it was discovered the wall had collapsed and fell on the two. Heavy rains are suspected to have been the cause behind the collapsing of the wall," said Colonel Netshiunda.
