Mabopane families seek help after heavy rains

Several families in Mabopane block A were literally left roofless after their homes were badly damaged following a heavy storm on Tuesday afternoon.

“The storm only lasted something like ten minutes, but it was strong enough to blow our roofs right off,” local resident Micheal Nhlapho told Rekord.

“Some people had to find shelter at other residents for the night because they didn’t have any place to sleep.

“We had to put some of the roof sheets back during the night so that we could sleep in the house. We had to balance the roof sheets with bricks, but it was not safe for if there were another storm. Most of our windows were destroyed.”

Surprise Mathebe, a family member of one of the worst-hit homes, said the storm blew her family home’s roof off and damaged part of the house.

“After the roof was blown away, part of the house started falling apart.”

Mathebe said she did not know how they would cope as they are a huge family with no income.

“Everything is ruined: the television, beds, wardrobes, the fridge, sofas, speakers. The house was filled with water, so basically we have to start from scratch now. The problem is that no one is employed.”

Mathebe said after the roof collapsed, they had to take cover and hide underneath the beds.

“We had to make sure all the children were under the beds. They were very scared.”

She said the family would consider being housed in a hall for the meantime, but their biggest concerns was that the children still have to go to school.

“We didn’t know where we would sleep after the storm, but we tried to patch up the house where we can. We don’t know what we will do about the side of the house that collapsed.”

The 79-year-old Valemina Khumalo, whose roof was also blown off, said she was thankful that her sons were around when the incident happened.

“They made sure I was okay. I have no idea what I would have done if they were not around. I had to take cover and kneel under the table until the storm passed.”

Community leader Ali Kalipungu said they will help the families who were affected to get food, clothes and temporary shelter.

“We are waiting for disaster management to assist us. We will also approach some local businesses for help.”

Tshwane emergency services spokesperson Charles Mabaso said that probably more than 16 houses in Mabopane, Soshanguve and Winterveldt were damaged by the storm.

“We are still busy with assessments on the ground, but I can confirm that 16 houses have been identified thus far. We will only be able to give the exact number of houses affected after we’re done.”

Mabaso encouraged community members to report such incidents on 107 immediately so that teams can be dispatched to help anyone in distress.

“Most of the communities go to the councillors to report such an incident. If it is reported to the councilor the following day and the councilor does his or her assessment, then that becomes a social matter as opposed to an emergency. If it is reported immediately, it becomes an emergency and we can then coordinate other stakeholders to restore the lives of those who are affected to some kind of normal.”

Kalipungu can be contacted on 072-010-6217 if anyone who would like to donate.

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