UPDATE|| KwaZulu-Natal Floods- Death Toll Reaches 448

Reports from South Africa indicate that the floods that hit the KwaZulu-Natal region recently has claimed a cumulative figure of 448 lives.

While search and rescue operations are still underway in the affected areas, KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala was quoted by eNCA as saying that they found five more bodies on Tuesday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday declared the KZN Floods a National State of Disaster, adding that the catastrophic effects of the flooding will be felt countrywide.

On the other hand, South Africa-born United States actress, Charlize Theron has appealed to the global community to assist her birth country.

Theron (pictured above) took to her social media account to inform her global audience about the need for contributions to assist the inhabitants of the Sadc powerhouse.

Said Theron:

“My home of SA is going through an extraordinarily difficult time, and while I know much of the world is in pain right now, and a lot is being asked of us as global citizens, I’m hoping you’ll find it in your heart to help. Last week, the most devastating floods on record struck the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, killing almost 450 people and displacing thousands. For my organisation @ctaop we see our most critical role as supporting our partners in whatever challenges they face — and right now organisations in KZN are reeling, trying to support their communities however they can, as affected families desperately need food, water, and shelter.”

The call for donatyions also comes at a time when South Africans have made it clear that they will not channel their donations through Government because they fear the money will be misused and looted.

Over the weekend, KwaZulu-Natal’s cooperative governance and traditional affairs department appealed to South Africans via Twitter to donate to flood relief efforts, posting an account number into which people could deposit money.

People expressed how skeptic they are about Government handling their money. Online.

Zwnews