By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
A number of residents in Mpumalanga were left without roofing when a heavy storm attacked in the province. Bushbuckridge, City of Mbombela and Nkomazi Municipality have recorded severe damages as a result of a recent heavy storm that ravaged certain parts of the province for two consecutive days on Sunday and Monday 27&28 October.
Four fatalities were confirmed in Bushbuckridge, in addition to power outages, heavy flooding inside the Bushbuckridge shopping complex, as well as 30 schools and many houses that were badly damaged due to the disastrous storm.
As a result, Mpumalanga Premier,Mandla Ndlovu, alongside various officials from the Provincial Government, convened a meeting with the three affected municipalities on Tuesday 29 October.
The Premier conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and urged communities across Mpumalanga to remain vigilant as predictions confirm that more heavy rains a bad weather can be expected ahead of the festive season.
ā We mourn the loss of lives as a result of this tragedy. Our Provincial Government is in unison in conveying our condolences to the bereaved families. Their loss is our loss. We also wish those with injuries a speedy recovery,ā said the Premier.
The Office of the Premier(OTP) has confirmed, through a statement, that the MEC for COGHSTA (Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs), Speed Mashilo, has been assigned by the Premier to lead other MECs in assessing the extent of the current disaster.
