A child was injured in a severe storm, suspected to be a landspout or a tornado, which hit Randfontein in the West Rand earlier today.

Randfontein Herald reports the severe storm swept through Toekomsrus and Mohlakeng this afternoon, causing serious damage to properties and injuring the child, who was rushed to hospital.

A resident, Pastor André Roberts, stated the storm came from Greenfields Estate and then passed through Umphakati Mall before heading to Toekomsrus.

He mentioned that the child was hurt by a falling wall and added that more than 200 houses were wrecked, along with trees, gates and walls.

“It’s a disaster. It is the first time we have had something like this,” said Roberts.

Another local, Henry Boyce, chairperson of the Rand West Neighbourhood Watch, said he believes it was a tornado.

Vox Weather believes it was a landspout and not a tornado, but said the South African Weather Service (SAWS) will have to confirm this.

Tornado/storm over parts of Randfontein, West Rand. pic.twitter.com/HOjXu3Dnpb

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) November 27, 2024

Landspouts and tornados are both rotating columns of air, but they differ in their formation, intensity, and structure. According to Vox Weather, a landspout typically forms from the ground up and is part of a weaker, localised weather system, often in the presence of a strong updraft or low-level wind shear.

“A tornado, on the other hand, forms from severe thunderstorms, particularly those with strong rotation, like supercells, which are large, organised storms capable of producing powerful tornadoes.”

More Videos Received: Aftermath of the Tornado Damage in Randfontein https://t.co/ZDBGG1Mkio#ArriveAlive #Tornado #Damage #Weather #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/4oPXjuvEAW

— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 27, 2024

According to the post, landspouts are usually weaker than tornadoes. They tend to be shorter-lived and are not as intense as tornadoes. Tornadoes are typically more violent and destructive, capable of reaching higher intensities and larger sizes.

“A landspout can occasionally strengthen into a tornado, but this is rare. In most cases, landspouts remain weak and dissipate quickly. When they do strengthen, it is typically only for a short period.”

Lehlohonolo Thobela from the SAWS says the storm may have been a tornado, but they are still investigating.

“The videos we’ve been investigating do show an element of rotation and roofs. We are yet to investigate and scale it to a certain level once the damage has been assessed.”

This article has been amended since it was first publish to include commentary by the SAWS.