Windstorm destroys homes and leaves some injured in Phola

While initial reports suggested that no injuries occurred, it was later confirmed that some residents were hurt during the storm and taken to the hospital for treatment.

September 17, 2025

Lucia Mudzanani 1 minute read

Some of the houses that were destroyed in the Phola windstorm. Photo supplied.

Phola residents remain frustrated after a powerful windstorm recently hit the area.

The windstorm started in the evening of September 6, destroying more than ten homes and leaving several people injured.

Thembi Shabangu’s house, which was destroyed in the Phola windstorm. Photo supplied.

The storm struck during the night, tearing through newly built houses and scattering building materials across the area.

According to Peter Nzima, Director of Izandla Ziyagezana Phola Community Chest, some of the debris was later found in a nearby graveyard.

He described the damage caused by the storm as shocking.“The worst part is that most of the affected families had just moved into the area. Now they are stranded and need urgent help.”

One of the residents who lost their home, Thembi Shabangu, lost some of the materials she had used to build her house.

“When collecting building materials after the windstorm, I couldn’t find some of mine. I had to go and buy other ones just to have a roof over my head again. Luckily, I was not in the house during the storm,” said Shabangu.

Attempts to reach the local ward councillor for comment were unsuccessful, leaving some residents frustrated and unsure of what support will come next.

“While people were running for their lives from falling houses, others got an opportunity to grab what they could; some couldn’t. The residents lost not only structures. What happened there cannot go unnoticed under our watch,” said Nzima.