Elim storm devastates homes, vehicles and church
Devastating storm hits Mpheni and Valdezia, leaving trail of destruction, displacing families and plunging areas into darkness.
LIMPOPO – A severe storm swept through the villages of Mpheni and Valdezia near Elim on Sunday, causing widespread destruction under the Makhado Municipality.
High winds and seasonal rain left several homes, vehicles, and a local church heavily damaged. Trees and power lines were brought down, plunging parts of Mpheni into darkness for three days. Villagers are now left assessing losses as they salvage and dry out damaged belongings.
The storm-damaged areas include Mpheni Block A and Block B, Badama, and Valdezia. At Mpheni, extensive power line damage left homes without electricity, while vehicles parked under trees at the local church and nearby homes were crushed as the storm brought large trees crashing down.
Lufuno Tshirangwana of Mpheni said her three-room home was severely damaged, leaving her family homeless and all their furniture, blankets, and groceries ruined by the rain.
“I am still in shock. I don’t have the means to repair or replace what we lost,” she said.
In total, more than 100 families in the Musina, Makhado and Collins Chabane municipalities suffered extensive damage, according to Matodzi Ralushai, spokesperson for the Vhembe District Municipality.
The Vhembe District Municipality has begun assessing the damage across the affected areas, but the storm season has just begun, and rural communities are struggling with the effects.
Local businesses, schools, and churches are also among the many buildings damaged as the storm continues to impact various parts of Vhembe.
