A number of residents around the Sinthumule area were left homeless and without shelter after a heavy storm struck the area on Monday afternoon (1 February). One person was reported injured.
Strong winds, accompanied by bursts of heavy rains, destroyed houses in several villages. The storm brought down trees and damaged powerlines in some parts. Many villagers were still drying out mattresses, blankets, clothes, and furniture the next day. Some of their belongings were damaged beyond repair.
The affected villages include Magau, Madombidzha, Tshikhwani, and Tshiozwi. At Magau, electrical powerlines were badly damaged, and some ripped from the ground. Several houses' roofs were blown off. Some communities in the mountainous area around Vhembe were trapped and could not cross the overflowing river.
One of the storm victims, Ms Shumani Mukhwevho of Tshikhwani, whose three-room house was severely damaged, told Limpopo Mirror that when the storm had hit her village, she had been at home with her two children. With the help of her grandchildren, they tried to remove the furniture from her house during the storm, as the corrugated roof was badly damaged and some of the roof sheets were totally blown away. She is living with her relatives temporarily. "All my furniture, blankets and groceries were damaged, and I do not have money to replace or repair them," she added. "I did not sustain any major injuries, but I am extremely shocked," she said.
Itumeleng Mamatsiari told Limpopo Mirror that a strong wind had swept through the village, leaving everyone running for cover. Soon, big raindrops started to pelt down. The situation worsened for her when deafening sounds started coming from her roof – it was rattling and shaking violently, and the roof sheets tore off. The windows broke and the walls started to shake. Her four-room house was badly damaged. She was injured when a brick from the wall fell on her foot and she was treated at the local clinic.
Spokesperson for the Vhembe District Municipality Mr Matodzi Ralushai confirmed that a hailstorm and heavy rains had wreaked havoc in the district over the weekend. "The municipality's disaster-management team is working with stakeholders such as the local municipality, and the Department of Social Development is still collating data that will guide them on the approach to assist the affected families," Ralushai said. "We wish a speedy recovery to the injured lady. The rain is much needed, although most of our dams are overflowing. However, we wish to appeal to residents to be vigilant."
He said that the local municipality's electricians were still trying to restore power in affected areas. Motorists are also advised to drive with caution and disaster-management teams remain on high alert.