Missing toddler found in river
Death toll of the Durban floods last week now 16
After nine days of searching‚ the body of missing toddler Okuhle Kweyama was pulled from a river in Umlazi’s ESection yesterday.
Her sodden form‚ found lying face down in the mud‚ was identified by her father on the scene. Surrounded by members of his family‚ he broke down in tears.
The toddler was washed away when the river near her crèche in Umlazi’s D-section overflowed during a storm that ravaged KwaZulu-Natal last Tuesday.
The little girl had been pulled from the rising waters and placed on an embankment by a passing schoolboy. But as the scholar returned to rescue other children from the crèche‚ the toddler was washed away by the torrent.
The storm battered the coast of KwaZulu-Natal for 12 hours and has so far claimed 16 lives, including Okuhle.
Damage from the extreme weather is expected to run into the billions‚ with crucial state infrastructure such as hospitals and schools damaged by heavy rains and driving winds.
Okuhle was the last person reported missing.
Meanwhile, mourners and religious leaders gathered at the Durban City Hall to remember those who died during the storm.
Anele Lukhozi could not
‘‘ I don’t know how to explain what I am going through right now
hold back her tears as she stood inside the Albert Luthuli room in the hall. Her mother‚ Phumlile‚ was one of 16 megastorm victims.
“I don’t know how to explain what I am going through right now‚” she said as church hymns filled the hall.
“My mother was the breadwinner and now my brother and I are left with nothing.”