Freaked-out residents of uThongathi in the northern parts of Durban are picking up the pieces in the aftermath of a devastating tornado that unleashed a reign of terror in several parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Monday afternoon.
Six people were killed when they were caught up in the storm, which was accompanied by heavy rains and strong winds.
Homes and schools collapsed while trees and power lines were ripped off, plunging several areas in the province into total darkness.
Lulamile Zwane, a resident of Sandfield in uThongathi, has vivid memories of the destructive effects of the storm.
Lucky to have survived
“I had just come from work when I suddenly heard the sound of a strong, frightening wind coming from outside,” Zwane told Sunday World on Tuesday.
“I rushed out to call the kids who were playing outside. Within seconds, I heard a loud bang and just saw the roof being blown off. We screamed for our lives.”
A nearby residential area, Magwaveni, was not spared.
“We urgently need help. We have no electricity and no place to sleep. We lost everything. Some of us can’t even go to work. It’s a desperate situation,” said Ndalo Cele, a resident.
“We are lucky to have survived. Some people lost their lives.”
KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube visited some of the severely affected areas on Tuesday.
The department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs said: “Early reports indicate that several areas within eThekwini metro have been affected, with some roads flooded, trees fallen, and significant damage to infrastructure such as power lines and roads.”
Mid-year exams affected
The National Teachers Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) bemoaned that the situation will have disastrous effects on mid-year exams.
“Learners and educators have been left destitute and homeless. To date, Naptosa is aware of one educator losing her life,” said Naptosa’s CEO in KwaZulu-Natal, Thirona Moodley.
“It is unfortunate that during this period in the academic year, schools are engaged in mid-year exams. This will severely impact schools.”
KwaZulu-Natal has been prone to deadly natural disasters.
In April 2022, over 300 people lost their lives when waves of floods hit several parts of the province.
Houses were washed away, people were swept away, and some have still not been found. The eThekwini metro suffered the biggest death toll.
