A HEAVY storm claimed a life and left five people injured when it hit 15 villages in Mount Frere on Wednesday evening.
Ten families were left homeless and schools, a community hall and churches were damaged when wind and rain left a trail of destruction.
It was the second storm to hit the area in four days.
During the outburst on Wednesday, gogo Anna Sokoyi (81) died when her one-roomed house collapsed on her.
Her granddaughter, Cikizwa Mpetsheni (27), managed to cheat death and ran to a neighbour’s house.
Another victim, Zwelakhe Diniwe (65), lost one room and two others were badly damaged.
He said: “I almost died when the wind blew off our roof. Our beds and other furniture are wet and will probably be damaged.
“My faith is in the municipality now.”
Officials from Alfred Nzo District Municipality and Umzimvubu Local Municipality, led by Umzimvubu mayor Khulukazi Phangwa, visited Nqalweni Village to hand out food parcels, mattresses and blankets.
He said: “Our officials will revisit the villages to assess how the victims can be assisted to regain their dignity by having shelter.”
Municipal spokesman Ndabuko Masumpa said disaster and emergency teams were sent to other villages including Rhode, Mjila, Ntsizwa, Mandileni, Sirhoqobeni and Lubaleko.
Eastern Cape health spokesman Siyanda Manana said four people were treated for minor injuries and one was admitted to Madzikane Ka Zulu Memorial Hospital in Mount Frere.