Rescue teams recover missing body from KZN taxi ordeal

Emergency rescue teams in KwaZulu-Natal have recovered the body of one of the people who were reported missing after a taxi was washed off a flooded bridge over the weekend.

DURBAN, March 29 (ANA) – Emergency rescue teams in KwaZulu-Natal have recovered the body of one of the people who were reported missing after a taxi was washed away while attempting to cross a flooded bridge over the weekend.

The incident, which took place on Saturday in Weenen, western KZN, claimed the lives of four people. Rescue teams are still looking for another two, explained Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila.

“The bodies that have been recovered are those of Sazi Chonco and Zama Ziqubu. The disaster management teams are still trying to locate the two people who are still missing – Nompilo Ziqubu and Nomonde Mkhize,” Mzila said in a statement on Monday.

KZN MEC for CoGTA Sipho Hlomuka conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased.

The MEC said that an investigation would be launched into the incident to determine whether there was an element of negligence on the part of the driver.

According to reports, the taxi was travelling from Weenen Town to Phofeni (Ngwenya area) in ward 21 in the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality when the driver reportedly attempted to cross a flooded low-lying bridge. Due to the force of the water, the taxi was swept away.

Hlomuka said that 13 passengers managed to get to safety.

The MEC said he was concerned about the number of deaths in the province due to inclement weather conditions.

“We are saddened by this latest incident. Our teams are working round the clock in conjunction with the police search-and-rescue teams to locate the missing,” said Hlomuka, urging road users to remain vigilant.

Hlomuka also urged motorists to avoid crossing low-lying bridges during bad weather as doing so is dangerous.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher