Randfontein storm causes havoc

A late afternoon thunderstorm has caused havoc – and a substantial amount of damage – throughout Randfontein on 12 November.

Randfontein’s main industrial area, Aureus, seems to have taken the brunt of the storm with strong winds and heavy rain causing the collapse of a boundary wall at a company in Fiat Street.

A number of vehicles, which were parked in a parking area next to the boundary wall, were badly damaged by the wall, which collapsed on top of them.

By 6.30pm, workers were still struggling to get the collapsed wall, which has palisade fencing interlaced with brick, removed from off the line of cars without causing further damage.

Just a few blocks away in Steyr/ Fedler Street, the roof of an entire block of self storage units was blown off and wrapped over an adjacent building.

Irate customers of the storage facility, who had suffered significant losses were scrambling to salvage what they could of their stored belongings.

One business owner who uses the facility to store extra stock, told the Herald that the loss will be detrimental to their business.

“Most of the stock here is electrical appliances and crockery.

“What was not destroyed by falling bricks, was ruined by the rain.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

Another customer expressed his hope that the owners of the storage facility has sufficient insurance coverage.

The Herald has received no word yet about how much damage was done in local informal settlements and other areas around Randfontein.

Click here for more photos of the damage caused by the storm.