Massive damages were reported from Bushbuckridge local municipality, Nkomazi Local Municipality and parts of Mkhondo Local municipality.
“So far, 18 households were identified around Mkhuhlu, Tekamahhala and Taiwani area in Bushbuckridge and assisted with relief. Two clinics, municipal offices and Matikwane hospital had part of their roofs ripped off by the storm on New Year’s eve,” explained Aubrey Mnisi, spokesperson of Bushbuckridge municipality.
“With the assistance of Ehlanzeni district municipality, we have assessed over 80 percent of the damages. We have already provided the affected families with relief material including blankets and mattresses,” he added.
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Health MEC Gilleon Mashego visited Matikwane hospital on Monday where he instructed a contractor to start assessing the damages.
Spokesperson for the department, Dumisani Malamule said patients admitted in the damaged wards at the hospital were transferred to Mapulaneng and Themba hospitals.
He added that services at Ntunda Community health clinic, Mkhuhlu clinic and Matikwane hospital will not be affected while contractors continue to assess and fix the damages.
“We are going to continue rendering health care services while contractors are busy on sites,” he said
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George Mthethwa, the provincial spokesperson of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) warned residents of the province to be cautious of heavy rains during this rainy season which started in November and might last until the end of January.
“We continue to urge those living on low lying areas to be cautious, drivers must drive with caution as the roads are slippery and parents must be warned to keep an eye on their children to ensure that they don’t swim by themselves in rivers and dams,” he said
He said the department had a stockpile of relief material for immediate support to affected municipalities.
