Storms wreak havoc across E Cape
Scores of shops and homes are knocked down
ASERIES of storm cells wreaked havoc across parts of Buffalo City Metro and Mthatha late yesterday afternoon causing widespread damage to houses and leaving more than 20 people injured.
The storm in East London hit just after a 3.30pm, after a long day of unusually high temperatures which reached the late 30s.
In Mdantsane a storm followed by strong winds and hail ripped through NU6, NU7 and NU9, lifting roofs, flattening shacks and leaving scores of people without shelter.
In Mthatha more than 20 people had to be rushed to health centres after they suffered injuries due to falling roofs and collapsing walls.
Three initiates in Zimbane outside Mthatha ran for their lives and sought shelter in nearby houses after their initiation hut was blown away by strong winds. Loose corrugated iron damaged cars in the Mthatha CBD.
BCM’s Ward 20 councillor, Ntombizodwa Gamnca said more than 30 shacks in Slovo Park, Matshini Park and Mpilisweni were blown down by the storm and about eight houses damaged.
She said some of the displaced families would be given shelter at the NU7 community hall.
Slovo Park resident Nomathamsanqa Mqongwana lost all her belongings in the storm. Her family of seven had to relocate to a relative’s house last night.
“My children were sleeping and I was cooking in the kitchen when the storm hit and lifted everything in the house” said Mqongwana.
NU16 resident Andiswa Sapa who was shopping at the Mdantsane Mall said she was frightened when she felt the mall roof vibrating.
“I was walking around the mall while waiting for my pizza. I heard noise and intense vibrations, before hail fell hard on the roof.
“When I went to collect my pizza the doors at Debonairs had fallen apart and pieces of glass were scattered on the floor,” she said.
Debonairs owner Lunga Gwayi said the storm had damaged more than R100 000 worth of furniture.
“I got a warning from [insurance company] that a hailstorm was coming and I called my wife who was at the restaurant to put her car under shelter.
“They also closed the doors of the restaurant. However, when a customer opened the door, the storm blew in, lifted the roof and broke the glass door,” he said.
A metal gate at the Fruit and Veg delivery entrance was also blown out. Glass was shattered at the Buffalo City Metro office and neighbouring units.
In Mthatha, several families were displaced as shacks were torn apart by the storm and fences broken.
Holidaymakers travelling home were backed up in traffic along the N2 towards the Shell Ultra City due to roof tops, street poles and trees obstructing the road.
Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo told the Dispatch that seven villagers from Mqanduli and 15 from Wadini village were injured and one was rushed to a medical facility.
South African Weather Services forecaster Tennielle Ah Shene said a warning was issued for severe thunderstorms in parts of the Eastern Cape for yesterday as an upper air trough moved towards the Eastern Cape from the West.
“Severe thunderstorms of this nature are very common in the summer season in the summer rainfall areas of the Eastern Cape.” —