Storm wreaks havoc in Hazyview and surrounds

HAZYVIEW - Businesses and households affected by last Friday’s storm are still counting the costs of the damages.

The storm claimed the lives of three and injured eight. It left three schools damaged and over 150 family households in a state of despair. The affected victims are still trying to rebuild their damaged houses.

The businesses are assessing damages and costs, which is expected to take more than a week. Some businesses are still clearing the trees uprooted during the storm, while others stopped operating.

The supply of water and electricity was also affected, as some household went without electricity for five days. Some areas have been without electricity and water since the storm hit the area on November 18.

The MEC for co-operative governance and traditional affairs, Mandla Msibi, promised to assist affected families during his visit to the area to assess the situation on Saturday. “We are here as government not only to access the extent of the damage, but also to assure you that we care and we feel your pain caused by the storm. No one can really plan for such disasters. One of the reasons for the visit is to see what we can do as government of the people. I don't want to make promises, but our wish from where I am standing is for these affected communities to get help soon,” said Msibi.

He was accompanied by Ehlanzeni District Municipality’s mayor, Jesta Sidell, who cautioned communities to evacuate floodline areas and to avoid crossing flooded waterstreams and rivers during the rainy season, as more rain is predicted.

She also said the Ehlanzeni Disaster Management Centre has been on the ground since the storm hit the area, assisting communities in need. She said the Department

Some areas have been without electricity and water since the storm hit the area on November 18

of Home Affairs assisted those who had lost their belongings during the storm. Tarpaulins and blankets were distributed to families as relief measures.

“Our disaster management team has already begun to assemble collapsible structures as temporary measures for the families whose houses were totally destroyed,” Sidell said.