13 Jan 2019

Some residents of Moshupa and Ranaka were left homeless after thunderstorms ravaged their houses and caused damages to other property recently.

An official from the District Commissioner's office in Moshupa Sub-district, Ms Sebokwane Dikgope said the thunderstorms occurred January 7 in the evening until morning on January 8 leaving a trail of destruction in the two villages.

She said their office registered 25 households in Moshupa and 30 houses destroyed by the storm in Ranaka.

“Some residents have been left homeless. We also have one vehicle that was damaged, disruption and power outages were also experienced in the two villages,” she said.

Ms Dikgope noted that that disaster management committee was working round the clock to ensure that victims were assisted accordingly. 

“So far we have received 10 tents from the Office of the President. We have also managed to render assistance to some of the affected families with tents and food baskets,” she said.

She further indicated that overflowing streams carried away small stock, chickens and other valuables.

She said two classrooms at Ranaka Primary School were badly destroyed by falling trees including a blown away roof of a Day Care Centre as the storm ravaged the villages.

“We have a team which is still assessing and evaluating the impact of damages in the two villages,” she said.

She pleaded with stakeholders to help where possible and encouraged parents to be vigilant at all times to ensure that children did not play near flooded areas. 

“Those who were affected but did not report can still do so and should contact the district commissioner’s office, kgosi or nearest police station,” she said. ENDS