Stranded residents move into cop shop

HUNDREDS of families in Mpumalanga have been displaced after heavy rain and strong wind wreaked havoc in both the Nkomazi and Chief Albert Luthuli municipalities. 

Since Wednesday, 13 March, residents of Nkomazi have been battling with heavy rainfall.

Busisiwe Mabuza (32) from Mbangwane told Daily Sun they lost everything after their roof was blown away on Wednesday night. 

The mum of three said they were sleeping when a strong wind suddenly hit them. She said they saw the roof being blown away and ran to the lounge. 

"We tried to open the door, but it was locked. We managed to go out through the garage door which was also damaged," she said.  

Mabuza said they went to seek shelter at the local police station, where they slept.

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Meanwhile, Nkosinathi Ntuli said he was stressed because he wasn't working and doesn't know how he'll fix his house. He further called on the government to assist in fixing his house. 

"We appeal to the government to assist us because we're not working. Anything can be of assistance because we don't have anything for now. What is more important is the roof," he said.  

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokeswoman, Lindiwe Msibi, said the department was committed to ensuring that the affected communities received assistance and support in rebuilding their lives.

"Our disaster management teams are working tirelessly to provide the affected communities with the much-needed support.

"The provincial and local disaster management teams are on high alert and on standby to assist communities in distress as more rain is predicted. People are advised to take precautions, especially those in low-lying areas," she said.  

Bongani Chibi, a meteorologist said tropical storm Filipo had past and landed in the south east of the Indian ocean. He said its effect was no longer that strong, but they were tracking the developments. 

"There are no signs it might come back, but we will have normal rain. Any rainfall that we will experience from now is not part of the tropical storm. However, we must not relax until May because these storms might develop," he said.