Storm causes power outages
THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture was yesterday still calculating the cost of the damage incurred at the AR Abass Stadium in Kimberley, after the facility’s pavilion roof was blown off during a severe windstorm.
The pavilion roof was found completely blown off on Friday morning, following a severe wind and rainstorm that occurred in the city earlier in the morning.
Massive steel beams, large pieces of galvanised iron and other debris from the structure lay scattered across the pavement outside the stadium’s fence, after it had been ripped from the pavilion’s cement seating area and then blown several metres away, landing close to the road’s edge.
No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Several motorists and pedestrians looked on in disbelief as the entire roof structure lay mangled and broken, with many questioning the quality of the construction work as houses around the stadium, while some suffering minor damage, were mostly still intact.
“How can it be that this massive construction can be blown straight off, while zinc shacks just a few hundred metres from the stadium remain intact and undamaged. This just reeks of bad workmanship and substandard construction. I live close by and did not even notice that the wind was blowing extraordinarily strongly,” one resident, Mbali Ndlovu, said.
While some residents in the area also reported damage to their homes, none of the damage was nearly on the same scale as incurred at the stadium.
The residents were relieved that no one was injured or killed when the stadium roof blew off.
“Looking at the massive pieces of steel lying where people are normally walking, leaves me surprised that no one was injured,” Thabo Nkeke said.
Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture spokesperson, Conrad Fortune, said yesterday that the department had not yet done any damage estimates.
“At this stage the department has not done any damage estimates. However, we will be engaging with the Department of Roads and Public Works to assist with cost estimates. What we have however done, through Public Works, is to ensure that the debris was removed immediately in order to prevent any further damages and to ensure that the terrain is safe. We have also cordoned off the area of the pavilion until further notice,” Fortune said.
He added that the department was pleased that no damage was caused to vehicles and that no one was injured.
“The damage was caused by a severe windstorm, which not only caused damage to the stadium but also to several houses in the area. As soon as we have done the assessments and we are provided with the cost estimates, the department will develop the necessary business plans and submissions for funding to repair the damages caused by the windstorm,” Fortune concluded.
After a R5 million upgrade, the AR Abass Stadium was reopened in February 2012 by the former premier of the Northern Cape, Hazel Jenkins, who, at the time, said that that the sports field was now “the best in the Province”. THE SOL Plaatje Municipality was this past weekend flooded with calls regarding interrupted electricity supply to city households, especially in Galeshewe, following strong winds and rainstorms.
Municipal spokesperson, Sello Matsie, admitted yesterday that the local authority’s call centre had struggled to keep up after more than 600 calls regarding electricity problems were received over the weekend.
Matsie said that most of the calls were regarding electricity trips at households, in specifically Galeshewe, after damage to overhead electricity cables, caused by strong winds during storms in the city over the weekend.
“Calls about isolated incidents at individual residences were received, while other incidents left entire streets without electricity,” Matsie said.
In Stamper Street, Galeshewe, an incident of an electricity cable catching fire was reported, while ongoing explosions and sparks could be seen at an electricity pole.
Matsie said that while no injuries or fatalities were reported following damage to electricity lines, he still called on residents to prevent children from coming in contact with the damaged lines, as this could result in electrocution.
Matsie further commended municipal workers for “working tirelessly through the night in dangerous conditions to attend to problem areas”, adding that most of the complaints had by yesterday been attended to.
Meanwhile, Matsie also notified Kimberley residents of a temporary road closure at the intersection of Nobengula Street and Green Street from today.
“This temporary closure is due to the major upgrading of the stormwater drainage system in Nobengula Street.
“Motorists and the general public are notified of the following points that will be implemented during the temporary closure of the roads for the period of three weeks. Adequate temporary traffic warning signs will be visible. Adequate temporary signs to alternatives routes will be availed and made visible and the proper diversion of traffic and safety will be implemented at all times.
“We request the co-operation of the general public and motorists are advised to approach the area with caution. The municipality would like to apologise for the inconvenience due to the construction work,” Matsie said.