DURBAN - A 15-year-old boy, Mesuli Mhlongo from Adams Mission, south of Durban, braved the heavy rain to save his two younger siblings.
However, amid this brave act, he could not save his parents.
The corpses of the parents were later discovered buried in the mudslide after heavy rains lashed through KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) leaving trails of destruction.
READ | EThekwini floods claim six lives and displace over 160 people
The downpours triggered floods and mudslides in the southern region, killing at least seven people.
To date, more than 160 people have been left displaced.
The grieving Mhlongo family said the loss of the two family members has left Mesuli traumatised.
"I think he needs psychological help because the memory in his head is that he heard his mother crying up until she died… my pain is that if only I was here, I was going to help," Mongezi Mhlongo, a family relative told eNCA.
As the grieving family sort through the debris to salvage what they can, Mongezi said his plea is for the kids to have a home after it was destroyed.
Meanwhile, in KwaMakhutha, 41-year-old Bongisisa Nkwanyana died when a mudslide crashed into his room.
It also damaged the main house, forcing the rest of the family to seek refuge with relatives.
The eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has since cautioned residents to be extra careful even in the way they build their houses.
"We must avoid areas that are prone to flooding because it means that we will keep this kind of situation. But I must add that the recovery plan is underway. Our employees are on the ground trying to assist the communities," he said.