Scores of people were injured, some critically, by the strong winds and hail that hammered parts of the Eastern Cape, the provincial health department said on Thursday.
Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said one man lost a leg in the Idutywa area when a roof fell on him during the storms on Wednesday.
He was rushed to Frere Hospital in East London.
About 18 people from the same area were treated at Butterworth Hospital for lesser injuries.
Kupelo said 18 people were injured, three of them critically, when the storm hit a bus in the Qumbu area.
A number of injured people in the Mthatha area had been taken to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, while about 20 people with minor injuries had been treated at Peddie’s Nompumelelo Hospital.
Accommodated by their neighbours
Earlier on Thursday, police said officials in various municipalities were taking stock of how many people had been displaced and what property had been damaged.
In the Mthatha region more than 100 houses and 200 vehicles were damaged. Four women were injured and 18 RDP houses were damaged in Mthatha.
“In Idutywa municipal buildings, police offices and about 26 police vehicles were damaged in the storm,” Captain Lingisile Magama said.
“It is not yet confirmed whether anyone died or was injured in the incident,” he said.
Villages including Qora, Ngxakaxa, Govan Mbeki township, Old Idutywa, Colosa, Chizele, Nyawra and Ludondolo were hit by the storm.
Slovo Park, Chris Hani Park and Mandela Park were also hard hit.
“Affected residents were accommodated by their neighbours,” Captain Zamukulungisa Jozana said.
More than 100 homes in Bityi were destroyed and police and government officials would visit affected areas to assess the damage. — Sapa