Following the floods that hit KwaZulu-Natal recently, the death toll has risen to 448.

Reports that KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala said five more bodies were found on Tuesday.

Search and rescue operations are still underway in the affected areas.

On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the floods a National State of Disaster and he added that the effects will be felt countrywide.

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

In light of the ruin and pain caused by the floods, Theron posted on her social media account informing her international audience about the crisis.

She appealed to them to contribute donations towards flood relief.

“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.”

However, it had been reported that 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.