04 Jan 2023

 Ledumang residents have been promised assistance after a hailstorm hit the area on January 3, causing major damage to property in the area.

Speaking in an interview during a tour of the affected areas on January 4, Gaborone City Council mayor, Mr Austin Abraham indicated that they were currently doing assessments of the damage, which would determine the type of assistance each family required.

“We are however, aware of the fact that residents need quick assistance so we will finish the assessment as fast as possible. We will also ensure that families that have already been assessed are assisted while the process continues,” he said.

Mr Abraham indicated that because the assessment was still ongoing, they did not have statistics on how many families had been affected.

He said apart from assessing damage, the city council personnel was on the ground clearing roads that were blocked by fallen trees, while utility providers such as Botswana Power Corporation, Water Utilities Corporation and Botswana Telecommunications Corporation were also on the ground to restore their services.

For his part, Ledumang ward councillor, Mr Thuso Khubamang appreciated the quick response and advised residents to always trim down trees as they were a risk in such situations, and also urged property owners to insure their houses.

“I know that insuring residential property is not very common, but it is very handy in such instances," he said.

Mr Khubamang also appreciated the area Ward Development Committee for assisting the affected families with food and temporary accommodation while still awaiting for a permanent solution from the city council.

Recalling the sad incident, one of the victims, Ms Kefilwe Dhlula said everything in her house was affected.
“I am an ex mental health patient and sometimes strange voices visit me, so when the storm started I thought it was the usual voices, and so I reacted late when the strong wind had already done damages," she said.

She said she would be awaiting the city council with whatever assistance they could offer her. Ends