Strong winds cause damage in North West

Severe weather conditions have caused extensive damage in the North West province, particularly in Setlagole and Setlhwatlhwe villages, located over 70 kilometers outside Mahikeng. The storms have brought strong winds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms to multiple areas of the province since Friday. A resident of Setlhwathlwe Village is seeking community assistance after his home was destroyed by the strong winds, with the roof and part of the wall blown away, and furniture and wardrobes also damaged by the rain.

Families are struggling to cope with the aftermath, as many residents in the area are unemployed. Sabata Mmakgwana and Mantsho Abrams, among others, have lost their homes and are asking for help to repair the damaged structures. The North West Department of Cooperative Governance reports that several schools, including Seriti Early Learning Centre, Kegomotse Primary School, and Kokomeng Primary School, have also been affected by the severe weather.

Infrastructure damage has been reported across the province, with additional impacts on roads and travel. Eskom has reported power supply interruptions in several areas, including Koster, Lichtenburg, Lehurutshe, Zeerust, Mmabatho, and surrounding regions, due to the severe weather. The power utility has stated that several network lines have been affected, and restoration efforts are ongoing, though hampered by immediate tripping.

Technical teams will continue working to restore power and stabilize the situation once conditions become safe.