Hundreds struggle to pick up the pieces after Pietermaritzburg tornado
More than 200 homes were destroyed or damaged in the tornado, leaving hundreds of residents roofless.
Velephi Mncube sustained a head injury and her mud house collapsed in the tornado that hit Pietermartizburg last week. She says she has no food. Photo: Nompendulo Ngubane / GroundUp
Hundreds of residents of Mpolweni, outside Pietermaritzburg, are struggling to put their lives back together in the aftermath of last week’s tornado, GroundUp reports.
More than 200 homes were destroyed or damaged in the tornado, leaving hundreds of residents roofless in Thokozani, Lindokuhle Village and Mvundlo.
Two people lost their lives — a man in Mpolweni and a woman in Thokoza — and at least 18 were injured, according to uMshwathi Local Municipality manager Nhlanhla Mabaso.
He said various companies and humanitarian organisations were helping.
“Our officials are on the alert since the weather has not cleared up,” he said on Friday.
In Lindokuhle Village, the mud house of Velephi Mncube, 67, and her 77-year-old wheelchair-bound husband collapsed on them.
“The clouds became dark… The house started moving. I remember screaming and telling my husband to watch out… There was heavy wind and rain. Something out of nowhere hit me in the face. The house fell on us. My husband was under pieces of the wall,” said Mncube.
“I shouted for help. A neighbour came to rescue us. There was a lot of blood coming from the wound on my face. I don’t know what hit me. I suspect it was the corrugated iron that was flying. I had a big cut on my face. They had to take me to hospital immediately,” said Mncube.
In Mpolweni, residents were trying to rebuild their homes. Some were searching the veld for corrugated sheeting.
Lindiwe Hlophe said the municipality had provided tents, but people needed blankets. She and her husband sleep in a car.
“Our children use the tent … We share blankets with neighbours …We have no food. There are no toilets … We have no choice … We lost everything.”
Some residents have found refuge at a church, which was also damaged in the storm. Businesses are assisting with food at the church, but not all residents can access it.
“If they can have a way to reach the homes of the elderly who have difficulty walking to the church … We are hungry and homeless,” said Nelisiwe Shange.
Republished from GroundUp
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
