R1-20/FREE
22 February 2013
High winds batter buildings
Large parts of Khabele Primary School’s roof blew off during the windstorm, causing the wet ceilings to collapse into the classrooms. Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba A fierce storm wind, which came from the west, left Khabele Primary School limping in its path of destruction. Khabele Primary School felt the full force of the windstorm that hit Bela Bela on Thursday, 14 February. The wind left six classes without a roof. The Grade R, Grade 1 and Grade 2 classes were the worst hit with roof plates blown off and ceilings falling in. According to Mike Letlalo, teacher at Khabele Primary School, the storm came
out of nowhere and unleashed its force on the school. He said that the teachers were in a meeting at another school when the wind struck. “It only took 40 minutes to destroy large parts of the roof,” he said. Some parts of the roof that was blown off landed on the soccer field and was recovered there. Other roof plates were found leaning against a wall at Mmamakwa Primary School. Letlalo said that Khabele was waiting for the Department of Public Works to evaluate the damage costs. In the meantime, the Grade R classes moved to the school
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RDP houses in Mookgophong were severely damaged in a windstorm that hit the town. The houses were left without roofs and severe structural damage. Photo: TK Mashaba hall while the Grade 1 and Grade 2 classes moved to a few spare classrooms that were on hand. On the same day, high winds also struck Mookgophong and caused severe damage to several RDP houses in the area. The houses suffered severe damage including structural damage and roof plates being blown off. The houses are open to the elements, leaving electrical wires open to rain and the weather, creating hazardous circumstances. According to Sello Nkoana, ANC Youth League chairperson in the area, said that
families were left without cover after the wind blew off the roofs of their homes. Nkoana said that four families were affected by the storm. Nkoana told The BEAT that they sent a letter to the municipality for assistance for these families, but received no answer. He asked for urgent assistance and donations to help the families who are left out in the cold. The BEAT contacted the Mookgophong municipality for comment, but at the time of going to press, the municipality did not respond to our enquiries.
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