<p>Thousands of South African soldiers will help with relief efforts in KwaZulu-Natal province, where more than 440 people have died in floods and mudslides and dozens more are missing.</p>.<p>A week after the torrential rains began, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said on Monday it had been instructed to activate 10,000 troops for tasks including mop-up work and transporting aid.</p>.<p>The SANDF would also provide medical support and helicopters for rescue and reconnaissance missions.</p>.<p>The floods have left thousands homeless, knocked out power and water services and disrupted operations at one of Africa's busiest ports, Durban.</p>.<p>President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a televised speech that his Cabinet had declared a national state of disaster because of the floods and extreme weather in several other provinces, which would allow for a more effective response to the crisis.</p>.<p>He said the finance minister would approach parliament over additional spending, beyond the 1 billion rand ($68 million) which he has said is immediately available.</p>.<p>Outside the town of Umbumbulu about 45 km (28 miles) southwest of Durban, herdsman Mbukeni Khwela accompanied police officers and sniffer dogs to scour a river for a missing neighbour who had been swept away.</p>.<p>"We have found her son, but we haven't found her," the 59-year-old said.</p>.<p>The latest death toll from the floods stands at 443, with 48 people still unaccounted for, Ramaphosa said.</p>.<p>Police said they were mourning two officers and a sniffer dog killed in the floods, among the worst to affect the east coast province in recorded history.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>
<p>Thousands of South African soldiers will help with relief efforts in KwaZulu-Natal province, where more than 440 people have died in floods and mudslides and dozens more are missing.</p>.<p>A week after the torrential rains began, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said on Monday it had been instructed to activate 10,000 troops for tasks including mop-up work and transporting aid.</p>.<p>The SANDF would also provide medical support and helicopters for rescue and reconnaissance missions.</p>.<p>The floods have left thousands homeless, knocked out power and water services and disrupted operations at one of Africa's busiest ports, Durban.</p>.<p>President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a televised speech that his Cabinet had declared a national state of disaster because of the floods and extreme weather in several other provinces, which would allow for a more effective response to the crisis.</p>.<p>He said the finance minister would approach parliament over additional spending, beyond the 1 billion rand ($68 million) which he has said is immediately available.</p>.<p>Outside the town of Umbumbulu about 45 km (28 miles) southwest of Durban, herdsman Mbukeni Khwela accompanied police officers and sniffer dogs to scour a river for a missing neighbour who had been swept away.</p>.<p>"We have found her son, but we haven't found her," the 59-year-old said.</p>.<p>The latest death toll from the floods stands at 443, with 48 people still unaccounted for, Ramaphosa said.</p>.<p>Police said they were mourning two officers and a sniffer dog killed in the floods, among the worst to affect the east coast province in recorded history.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>