Families in Madombidzha suffered heavy losses when a severe hailstorm swept over the area on Sunday evening. Several homes collapsed, while rooftops were blown off and scattered across the area.
Mr. Oscar Ramantswana's six-room house was severely damaged. He described how the wind suddenly picked up and swept through the village. "Everyone suddenly ran for cover. Soon, large raindrops started pelting down, followed by loud cracks of thunder and flashes of lightning that lit up the darkened neighbourhood. Then my house's roof started rattling violently. The windows cracked, and the walls began to shake. The roof sheets went flying," he said.
Ramantswana described how the entire roof was blown off, leaving them exposed to the rain. "All my furniture, blankets, and groceries were damaged, and I don't have the money to replace or repair them. I didn't sustain any major injuries, but I am extremely shocked. It caught all of us by surprise as it happened so fast. I never thought we would be left without a roof over our heads at this time of year. We have lost everything, even our food," he said.
The disaster-management team of the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) was dispatched to assist all affected families and assess the extent of the damage. "The VDM and local municipality (Makhado) are working very hard with various stakeholders to assist these families," said Matodzi Ralushai, spokesperson for the VDM. The assessment is still ongoing.