A THUNDERSTORM left a trail of destruction in some parts of Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality in the North West on Tuesday, 19 September.
Heavy wind destroyed places such as Kanana near Orkney, Klerksdorp and Khuma kasi near Stilfontein.
Some residents were left stranded when their shack roofs were blown away, while trees fell over walls and onto the streets. Botshabelo Community Health Centre in Khuma, which operates for 24 hours, was also affected.
Resident madala Tefo Ramonaune (93) believes when the weather is windy and dark, it's usually a water snake leaving its home to go to another.
"Efetile ngwanaka kganyapa (the water snake has passed my child). The problem is that everything was damaged wherever it passed. Those who are not affected are so fortunate," said madala Tefo.
Themba Nika of Khuma CH (Baipehi) section said: "All this started while I was in my shack. I didn't know what to hold at the time, a window or a door. So I'm going back to my parental home. I'll come back and fix my shack."
North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha visited the damaged clinic in Khuma On Wednesday morning, 20 September.
"I can confirm that we received a call last night that this centre is affected. I then sent one of my staff members to go and check. Botshabelo Community Health Centre's Maternity Unit is affected as its roof is destroyed and a geyser is also affected. Water was flowing inside," said Sambatha.
"An infrastructure team will then have to barricade this side until it is in a structure of satisfaction. Meanwhile, maternity patients will then be transferred to Klerksdorp Hospital as this one will not be working for now."
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Dr Kenneth Kaunda Mayor Nikiwe Num and Matlosana Mayor James Ntsolela were also seen on the streets together with their Disaster Management teams and MMCs.
District spokesman Xolani Mndaweni said: "We can confirm that places that are affected are Kanana, Khuma as well as Klerksdorp. At least we managed to identify affected houses as we're still busy trying to find out more about what happened.
"Since we are with disaster teams, we will be able to have emergency housing for the affected people. Meanwhile, some will be given blankets, mattresses and food."
Mndaweni said they will also engage with the provincial office, mainly human settlements for those whose houses are badly damaged.
No fatalities have been reported so far.
