Lowveld storm causes widespread damage
Homes and businesses in Graskop and Buffelspruit sustained serious damage after heavy rains and strong winds hit on May 5.
Severe weather conditions caused widespread damage across parts of the Lowveld, leaving several homes and businesses roofless after heavy rain and strong winds battered communities on Monday night, May 5.
In Graskop, multiple houses were left without roofs, while electrical infrastructure also sustained significant damage.
Affected businesses include an entire block at KUIER on the corner of Main Street and Louis Trichardt, where roofs were torn off. Despite the destruction, no injuries or fatalities have been reported.
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Officials from the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality were on site assessing the damage and working to restore essential services.
The Graskop unit has already begun repair work, although efforts may be slowed by a shortage of equipment and parts needed to restore electricity.
Meanwhile, residents of Buffelspruit in Nkomazi were also left reeling after gale-force winds and heavy rain caused extensive structural damage to homes.
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According to the Nkomazi Local Municipality’s Disaster Management team, more than 15 houses and one school were severely affected.
The storm struck suddenly around midnight, catching many residents off guard. One of the affected residents, Getrude Sibolelo, described the terrifying moment:
“We were sleeping and just heard a roaring sound around 12:00, and then the roof was just gone. The rain started pouring in.”
Sibolelo added that their home suffered major damage, with furniture and electronics destroyed by water. “I took the children next door and tried to save as much as I could. All our clothes are soaking wet,” she said.
Nkomazi Disaster Management official Nash Thwala confirmed that assessment teams are continuing to evaluate the full extent of the damage. He said interventions will be determined once all affected areas have been assessed.
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious as clean-up and recovery efforts continue.
