Government property hit hard by severe storm
Serious damage was done to municipal property in Burgersfort after a severe storm passed through the area.
A heavy downpour that ripped through parts of the Fetakgomo Tubatse sub-region on Wednesday afternoon left a trail of destruction in Burgersfort.
Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality spokesperson Mahlako Komane confirmed that municipal infrastructure, including solar panel structures at the Civic Centre parking area, incurred serious damage following the strong wind and rain.
Komane said preliminary observations suggested that the storm contributed to the collapse of sections of the solar panel installation, affecting several parked municipal and private vehicles.
She indicated that no injuries were recorded following the climate-related mayhem. The municipal emergency personnel, electrical services division and community services department were stretched to the limit in an attempt to secure the affected area.
The parking area was cordoned off to avoid further risk as technical teams evaluated the damage.
Mayor Eddie Maila said while preliminary reports suggested that the strong winds contributed to the collapse of the solar panel installation, the municipality cannot rely solely on the initial opinion.
“I have, therefore, directed that structural engineers conduct a thorough and independent assessment to determine the exact cause of the incident. It is important that we establish the facts and rule out any issues related to the structural design, construction integrity or workmanship of the installation. Once the investigation is concluded, we will take the appropriate steps informed by the findings,” Maila remarked.
Komane said the municipality urges its employees and members of the public to avoid the affected area until the site is declared safe.
• The Observer Daller received a video of a possible tornado forming over the Burgersfort Mall yesterday afternoon. However, the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality did not mention anything about the weather phenomena in their response to the mayhem.
@die.daller A possible tornado forming over Burgersfort Mall yesterday (19 November).#groblersdal #marblehall #eliasmotsoaledi #ephraimmogale #observerdaller
@die.daller Water flooding the streets after a heavy downpour ripped through Burgersfort yesterday (19 November).#groblersdal #marblehall #eliasmotsoaledi #ephraimmogale #observerdaller
