POLOKWANE – Several residents received a hail warning from their insurers on Tuesday afternoon as a violent rainstorm approached the city.
People scrambled to ensure that their vehicles were parked out of harm’s way.
Hail of varying sizes did follow in certain areas of the city and some people living in these areas sustained damage from the storm.
At Thornhill Shopping Centre, a car was slightly damaged by part of a roof that was swept away by the wind, and some roof tiles were also blown off.
Centre manager, Koerie Muller said the area was cordoned off and the contractors were already there to repair the damage and ensure the area was safe for customers by Tuesday evening. She was not yet able to give an assessment of the damage, but said it was nothing serious.
Hail and strong winds caused damage of varying degrees in the Myngenoegen area.
Myngenoegen Shelter secretary, Christa van Tonder, said the shelter was still without electricity since the storm. A corrugated iron lapa was damaged beyond repair. She said a meeting would be held on Wednesday to discuss the damage sustained.
Other houses in Myngenoegen sustained water damage, according to readers on Review’s Facebook page.
Another resident said Dalmada did have some hail, but not enough to do any serious damage.
On the other side of the city in the Leeuwkuil area, it hailed three times, however no damage was sustained, according to Johan Venter, who is a resident.
Hail also fell in the Soetdorings area,
Ina van Vuuren, who lives on a smallholding at Doornbult on the Soetdorings road, said it hailed heavily, while Lientjie Erasmus said in Mogwadi hail stones as big as golf balls fell.
Matshidiso Mothapo, municipal spokesperson, said no reports regarding storm, rain or hail damage were received by the municipality.
