A hailstorm accompanied by strong winds wreaked havoc twice in less than a week in Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga. Schools and houses were left without roofs and residents are blaming government for failing to act swiftly to assist the victims.
Janet Mashiane says her family lost everything.
“I really hope government can come to assist us, we really need a house. Now we don’t have a place to stay. We don’t have money to rebuild the house.”
A local church helped one of the congregants with a tent. However Juda Nkomo says the tent is not enough.
“Yesterday wind came again, it blow it up again, then the tent was blown away, luckily my children were here to help and put it back.”
At a local school a block of classrooms has been left without a roof and the school ablution block wasn’t spared either.
School principal Sibongile Mahlangu says the damage did not disrupt teaching and learning.
“It did not disrupt learning and teaching because it came a day before our last examination which takes place in a school hall other classroom but we are feeling like it’s going to affect us going forward if we don’t get help as soon as possible.”
Five villages in the Dr JS Moroka Municipality were the worst affected.
The municipality is assessing the damage, and also assisting some of the affected households.
Dr. JS Moroka Municipality mayor Thulari Madileng they are assessing the damage.
Rain is predicted for the area on Tuesday.
