Hlengiwe Zulu runs her traditional healing practice from her home and says her muti has been destroyed.
Photo: Thabang Kuaho
The Zulu family in Far East Bank near Botlhabela Village was left in distress after the roof of their Vuk’uzenzele flat was destroyed as a result of the hail storm which invaded most of the province earlier in the week.
All their electrical appliances, identity documents, birth certificates and the children’s schoolbooks were destroyed.
Hlengiwe Zulu, who lives with her mother, five of her siblings and her four-month-old child, said her two youngest siblings had just arrived home from school when the incident happened.
The children’s schoolbooks are soaking wet after the storm. Photo: Thabang Kuaho
“The three of us were watching television and suddenly we realised that water was coming in from the roof. Shortly after that we heard the iron roof fall to the ground,” Zulu said.
With nowhere to go, the family had to figure out how they would get through the night.
“Luckily the councillor for our area brought blankets for us and some of our neighbours offered to accommodate us for the night.”
Zulu’s two youngest siblings were affected by the storm as they could not go to school.
“Their schoolbooks were soaking wet so there was no way they could go to school. My brother, who works night shifts also did not go to work yesterday.”
Zulu’s mother, Hlengiwe, who is a traditional healer, runs her services from the house. Most of her muti was ruined in the storm.
This was the second time the family found themselves in the same ordeal.
“During tropical storm Dineo, our roof also fell out and we had to fix it ourselves.”
The roof is destroyed. Photo: Thabang Kuaho
Ward 105 councillor Tefo Raphadu said he was trying to find assistance for the families so they could get back on their feet as soon as possible.
“I have called the provincial government and disaster management departments to help us with the matter,” Raphadu said.
He said the structure of the flat was not in good condition and will more likely to fall down again in the future.
