Coast KZN

About 70 Umdloti residents protested this morning against what they claim to be negligence by the Salta housing complex developers which they believe contributed to the widespread flood damage in town. The residents gathered across from the Salta development entrance at 7am to make their voices heard and deliver a memorandum to the developers, Devmco Group.

“We know where the sand and mud came from. We can trace it all back with photos and drone footage. It came from the development,” said protest organiser, Kevin Minter-Brown.

“We can partially understand what happened after the first floods last month, but six weeks later consequences were worse after this second round of floods.

We need them to understand the magnitude of this problem,” he said.

Residents allege that the lack of functional water attenuation systems and the clearing of natural bush by the developers are primary reasons for why Umdloti was so badly damaged. Questions were also raised about the environmental impact assessment (EIA) which was apparently carried out by the developers.

On the Salta Sibaya Facebook page it is stated a fully approved storm water management plan is in place.

“The Salta Sibaya developers, in conjunction with our contractors, have always maintained the highest levels in planning and implementation, with strict compliance to all national and municipal laws and any applicable by-laws.

All of our developments have received all of the necessary approvals from all relevant municipal departments,” the statement reads.

Long time Umdloti residents, Meena and Benedict Christopher, with Shikar Ramlucken at the protest.

It further reads that the development conforms to EIA and environmental management plans that are both audited fortnightly.

Protesters hoped a Devmco representative would arrive to receive the memorandum, but no one did so and the group dispersed just after 8am.

Hundreds of residents remain displaced as many homes were either partially or completely destroyed following the two bouts of floods. Although efforts to remedy the situation have begun, large portions of the north side of Umdloti resembled a ghost town given the lack of services available.

Aariyan Pillay focused on the lack of services that many Umdloti residents have experienced.

eThekwini Metro mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, later visited Umdloti to deliver an update on the reinstatement of services to affected residents, some of whom remain without water and electricity. He, along with Metro manager of storm water design, Gregory Williams, spoke outside Surfside complex on Bellamont Road.

The complex has become one of the most striking symbols of the Umdloti flood carnage as two of its towers were ripped from the main building before tumbling into the ravine below.

“I am here today to announce that plans are in place for the repair of damaged municipal infrastructure.

We have seen the damage and feel your pain as residents, but ask that you remain patient as we make sure that all repairs are done with the safety considerations first and foremost,” said Kaunda.

eThekwini mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, manager of stormwater design, Gregory Williams and deputy-mayor Philani Mavundla outside Surfside complex this morning.

Williams said new 900 mm pipes would replace the damaged water infrastructure, reconnecting homes in the north of Umdloti to the supply.

“These are the best pipes available and have been used in multiple projects, primarily on the south coast.

Those pipes remained functional through the floods and we believe they will do the same here in Umdloti should any further flooding occur,” said Williams.

He estimated that the majority of work would be done in four months, with pipes ideally in the ground by mid-June.

Surfside complex was hit again in the second bout of floods, losing more of its apartments and leaving many others tenuously stranded.

The work mentioned in the plan is the replacement of damaged pipes, as well as backfilling the two major ravines from Bellamont Road and the sinkhole at the main Umdloti circle.

Rectifying the current sewerage situation and implementing new sewers were also mentioned.