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Five people, including a two-year-old boy, were killed in a severe storm that swept across the OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape this week.
In a statement on Saturday, the District Municipality said that areas in the Mhlonto and King Sabata Dalinyebo Local Municipalities were badly affected.
Executive Mayor, Mesuli Ngqondwana said 19 people sustained injuries when houses collapsed on them.
The deceased were identified as Achumile Matiwane (17), Luviko Datsheka (2) Nobantu Waguba, Mxolisi Mangcotywa, and Cwete Myeko, who were from different wards in the local municipalities.
Ngqondwana said, "preliminary assessments conducted over the past few days indicated that three areas in King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality sustained severe, clustered damage to houses."
“They are Qolweni in Sgubudwini, Ntilini in Lower Xongora and Ndungwane villages. Initiation schools were also affected resulting in some injuries. The injured initiates were taken to hospital.”
The mayor said 77 families were left homeless in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality, while livestock, including sheep, goats, and chickens also perished in the storm.
“The South African Weather Service has issued a warning for severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, hail, lightning and heavy downpours resulting in localised flooding in O.R. Tambo District today (Sat) and tomorrow (Sun)”.
