Hailstones
Joy over the long-awaited rain quickly turned to terror for the residents of Komatipoort, KaMaqhekeza, Mangweni, Schoemansdal and surrounds on Friday at about 19:00.

Hail stones the size of golf balls came pelting down, shattering vehicle windscreens, while the severe winds ripped off roofs.

Damage to a vehicle in Komatipoort.
Damage to a vehicle in Komatipoort.
According to Mr Cyril Ripinga, spokesman for the Nkomazi Local Municipality, about 426 houses, 25 schools, five clinics and Tonga and Shongwe hospitals were damaged, but the verification process is ongoing.

More than 100 houses' roofs were blown away, more than eight collapsed and infrastructure such as gravel roads and electricity cables were damaged.

Large parts of Nkomazi were left without electricity, but municipal employees worked around the clock over the weekend to fix the cables.

Many residents had to run for their lives as their houses collapsed, leaving their possessions to the mercy of the elements.

Ms Thobile Mashaba had to run to her neighbours for safety when the corrugated iron of her shack was ripped off by the wind.

Storm damage

Mr Justice Nkwambe arrived home after work to find his house covered with pieces of corrugated iron roofing from the nearby SPAR in KaMaqhekeza Plaza. The electricity cables were severed causing a fire to break out. "One of my neighbours told me he smelled something strange from the direction of my house. When we got closer, we saw it was burning. He took a can and got water to extinguish the fire, otherwise my bed would also have been destroyed," Nkwambe explained.

Ripinga reported that one person had died and three had been seriously injured and hospitalised after sustaining injuries from the storm.

The mayor, Ms Thulisile Khoza visited the affected areas, in particular a family that went through a similar experience last year.

Dozens of businesses and institutions were also damaged, including stores at KaMaqhekeza Plaza, Nkomazi Plaza and KaMaqhekeza Stadium.

Part of the roof was ripped off Cashbuild in Naas was ripped off and a section of a wall also collapsed.
Part of the roof was ripped off Cashbuild in Naas was ripped off and a section of a wall also collapsed.
Patients in the maternity ward of Shongwe Hospital had to be moved to other wards due to parts of the roofing being ripped off, but no injuries or fatalities were reported.

The MEC for health in Mpumalanga, Mr Gillion Mashego, visited the hospital on Monday and said the department had already done an interim assessment of the damages. "We have already deployed various contractors who will start with repairs in the damaged areas. Our preliminary assessment shows that the property damage amounts to about R40 million."

As the pharmacy was damaged, another ward will be used in the meantime to ensure that health services continue.

Banana trees were ripped to shreds by massive hail stones.
Banana trees were ripped to shreds by massive hail stones.
Farmers in the affected areas were also hit hard, with one losing about 10,000 chickens and several hectares of produce such as bananas and sweet peppers that were destroyed by hail.

Several government departments are working together to help the community members in need.

The Department of Social Development donated 600 food parcels, 100 tarpaulins, 120 gel stoves and 500 blankets, and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs provided 10 temporary houses.