A storm has wreaked havoc in Armsterdam near Ermelo in Mpumalanga, and more than ten houses are without roofs following the storm. The Mkhondo Municipality’s disaster management officials are still assessing the extent of the damage.
When the SABC News visited the area, local residents were salvaging the least they can reuse. Among the people whose houses were damaged by the storm is Samukelisiwe Khumalo.
“Around 19:00 hours the was a heavy wind which blew off the roof of the house, and we hid inside the house with the children. When the rain subsided we then went out to the neighbors to ask for shelter,” she said.
Ntombifuthi Gama and her four month old baby narrowly escaped death when a wall of their Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) house collapsed. Gama says she was hit on the head.
Officials from the Social Services Development have been dispatched to area to screen and assess the damage. Mpumalanga Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Spokesperson, George Mthethwa says plans are afoot to help the affected families.
The department has warned residents in low laying areas to consider ascending to higher ground.
