Five people are confirmed to have died and at least 400 houses were destroyed in a heavy storm in Durban's Molweni area on Friday.

Head of the police search and rescue unit Captain Troy Allison said five people were confirmed dead, adding that the search was continuing.

However, provincial ambulance services said that eight had died.

Two children, Samkelisiwe Nzunga (10) and Sanele Hlongwane (9) were among the victims. They had just come back from school when their house collapsed.

Nzunga's mother, Nokwenza (32), said her daughter was already dead when they found her, and Sanele died a few minutes after he was rescued.

"I still can't believe they are gone...It hurts, only God knows why it happened," she told Sapa from the scene.

Families were milling around in the drizzling rain devastated and in disbelief at what had happened.

Resident Sime Majola said he was in his house when the storm struck.

"I tried to close the door and then the roof came off and when I ran out, the house collapsed behind me," said Majola.

He described the week as being one of the worst in his life because he had lost his job on Wednesday and now his house was in ruins.

Democratic Alliance councillor Tex Collins said the storm was over in about five to six minutes.

"The storm arrived, it was over in a matter of five or six minutes...it was hail, rain and wind. It's as though someone drove a bulldozer though the area," said Collins.

Another resident, Lindiwe Ntshangase, said her house was fine but was concerned about her brother who also lived in a house in the area. She said she was still waiting for him to arrive.

People were standing outside their houses, loading whatever they could salvage into cars.

A large contingent of police, and rescue and emergency services personnel were at the scene.

KwaZulu-Natal ambulance service staff said at least 100 people were reported to be injured. Of the injured, fifty were described as being in a serious condition.

Several water mains had burst, roof tiles were lifted off, wall had collapsed and trees were blown down.

At a distance one could see a tuckshop which was almost lifted off on its side.

Although it was unconfirmed, it was believed this could have been the work a tornado.

Officials were walking around trying to ascertain the damage and assist people. They were using loud hailers to instruct residents.

Meanwhile, in the Shongweni area, telephone poles had been buckled and bowled over by strong winds.

The storm caused a huge traffic back-up in Durban's western areas, including Shongweni.

Sapa