The victims of the storm and heavy rains in several villages in the Nkomazi Local Municipality are receiving much-needed support through relief interventions by government and stakeholders.

This is according to a statement released by Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) on Wednesday, September 17.

Over the past weekend, a heavy storm damaged over 180 households, nine schools, farms and community infrastructure.

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The Sunday, September 14 a hail storm wreaked havoc in four villages in Nkomazi and other parts of local municipalities within the Ehlanzeni District Municipality. Four villages are Buffelspruit, Mangweni, Sikhwahlane and Madadeni.

The Coghsta spokesperson, Freddy Ngobe, said house and school roofs were blown off, farms were waterlogged and public infrastructure, clinics, landfill site and halls were damaged.

“The relief interventions include the distribution of food parcels, blankets, dignity packs, mattresses, collapsible houses and tarpaulins.”

Coghsta, together with the Joint Operations Committee (JOC), are co-ordinating the relief and intervention measures.

The MEC for Coghsta, Speed Mashilo, expressed gratitude for the support of social partners and private sectors in helping those affected. “Our priority is to ensure that the displaced families receive immediate humanitarian relief, and to fast-track the restoration of lives and services. Assessments are continuing so that we work hard to repair damaged infrastructure,” he said.

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He emphasised that the response to disaster requires all the affected government departments to play their parts in ensuring that the dignity of the victims is restored.

The acting municipal manager of Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Dr Mapule Mkhatshwa, said: “As government we acknowledge the resilience and unity demonstrated by community members who have come together. I urge all partners to come through during this period.”

The Department of Education reported that prelim examinations were not affected as the affected schools managed to arrange alternative venues to enable the learners to write.