More than 20 houses collapsed after a tornado ripped through Dutywa on Thursday afternoon.
Residents of Lower Bolothwa, Lota and Nqabane villages had not anticipated any damage when it first hit but soon after, walls collapsed, leaving them with nothing.
Ntombende Vayeke of Toli administrative area lost six rooms. The only room that survived was the one she and her children were in when the tornado hit.
“I never thought I would ever experience it. We were sitting at home when the wind started.
“All of a sudden it got dark, and a noisy wind followed by heavy rain started. We saw pieces of the wall falling in the room we were in. It was scary! We started to pray.
“It eventually stopped and I went outside and saw the damage. I had a standalone flat with two rooms – it was totally wiped out.
“The only way you could see that there were two rooms there is the remainder of the partition on the ground. Beds were crushed, wardrobes and groceries. We have nothing,” said Vayeke.
She said municipal officials arrived and asked for their details, promising help for villagers.
Roofs were also ripped off three classrooms of Bhekizulu Senior Primary School in Dutywa.
School principal Sabatha Lusizi said two classrooms used by Grade 6 and 7 and a computer lab were damaged.
“Our computers and printer are ruined, our stationery as well. We had workbooks that we were going to use in the next term but those are damaged now. we had to combine Grade 6 and 7 with other classes because those classrooms cannot be used right now,” he said.
In Lower Bolothwa, 16 houses collapsed while others had their roofs blown off.
Fezile Gangqa was forced to move back home after the room of his one-bedroomed house was blown away. He said he was home alone at the time.
“My children were at my parents’ house. I heard the wind blowing and soon after the rain came. It was moving in a circular motion.
“The next thing the corrugated iron and rafters were pulled off and blown away. I ran to my neighbour's house to seek shelter.”
Mbhashe mayor Nonceba Mfecane could not be reached for comment.
TORNADO WREAKS HAVOC: Residents lose everything as disaster strikes
Residents of Lower Bolothwa, Lota and Nqabane villages had not anticipated any damage when it first hit but soon after, walls collapsed, leaving them with nothing.
Ntombende Vayeke of Toli administrative area lost six rooms. The only room that survived was the one she and her children were in when the tornado hit.
“I never thought I would ever experience it. We were sitting at home when the wind started.
“All of a sudden it got dark, and a noisy wind followed by heavy rain started. We saw pieces of the wall falling in the room we were in. It was scary! We started to pray.
“It eventually stopped and I went outside and saw the damage. I had a standalone flat with two rooms – it was totally wiped out.
“The only way you could see that there were two rooms there is the remainder of the partition on the ground. Beds were crushed, wardrobes and groceries. We have nothing,” said Vayeke.
She said municipal officials arrived and asked for their details, promising help for villagers.
Roofs were also ripped off three classrooms of Bhekizulu Senior Primary School in Dutywa.
School principal Sabatha Lusizi said two classrooms used by Grade 6 and 7 and a computer lab were damaged.
“Our computers and printer are ruined, our stationery as well. We had workbooks that we were going to use in the next term but those are damaged now. we had to combine Grade 6 and 7 with other classes because those classrooms cannot be used right now,” he said.
In Lower Bolothwa, 16 houses collapsed while others had their roofs blown off.
Fezile Gangqa was forced to move back home after the room of his one-bedroomed house was blown away. He said he was home alone at the time.
“My children were at my parents’ house. I heard the wind blowing and soon after the rain came. It was moving in a circular motion.
“The next thing the corrugated iron and rafters were pulled off and blown away. I ran to my neighbour's house to seek shelter.”
Mbhashe mayor Nonceba Mfecane could not be reached for comment.
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