Following the catastrophic collapse of an 18-metre retaining wall at eBuhleni Village in Inanda, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has stepped in through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC).
The structure gave way during a church gathering, leaving approximately 20 congregants initially trapped beneath soil and rubble.
To coordinate the complex rescue and extrication operations on-site, provincial disaster teams have been deployed alongside eThekwini Municipality’s multidisciplinary emergency services, as confirmed by KZN COGTA MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
Church members outside as the officials try to deal with the disaster.
Emergency responders have successfully rescued and hospitalised eight individuals, two of whom are in critical condition. Search and rescue efforts continue for the remaining congregants.
The response teams received high praise from MEC Buthelezi, who commended their bravery, rapid deployment, and exceptional professionalism under highly stressful conditions.
“We praise the courageous men and women on the front lines who are working tirelessly to save lives. Our prayers are with the injured and the affected families during this difficult time,” Buthelezi said.
The PDMC has issued an urgent appeal for members of the public to stay clear of the disaster site. Providing unrestricted access to emergency personnel is absolutely vital to ensure that rescue and excavation efforts can proceed safely, swiftly, and effectively without any secondary incidents.
The department will continue to closely monitor the ongoing situation and will provide verified updates as the rescue operation advances.
On July 1, 2026, the political thriller 77: The Festac Conspiracy premiered to a sold-out audience at the International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia.The premiere served as the headline event of the Africa Creative Market (ACM) 2026, an influential platform showcasing creative industries across the continent. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Izu Ojukwu, the film is a sequel to the award-winning 76. Starring renowned actors Rita Dominic and Ramsey Nouah, this new […]
