/ 22 December 2003

Storm leaves hundreds homeless in Limpopo

Hundreds of people have been left homeless after a heavy storm in Malamulele township and its surrounding villages in the Giyani area of Limpopo, police said.

Inspector Moses Chauke said the storm started on Sunday afternoon and went on for only three hours.

Although it was brief, the destruction was ”insurmountable”, he said.

People had to be evacuated as their homes were engulfed with water and roofs were blown off. One of the schools, Mahlahle private school, has been completely destroyed.

Electricity was cut off and the villagers are still without power. Some streets are cut off due to fallen trees.

The Limpopo Disaster Management committee has been summoned to the area and has found alternative accommodation for the homeless people.

They were busying clearing the area, said Chauke. – Sapa