SINTHUMULE – Inhabitants of two villages in the Sinthumule area were left stranded without food and shelter after a heavy storm struck last Saturday evening.

When the storm hit, it left at least twenty houses without roofs at Tshiozwi village and in Ravele village fifteen families were left homeless. Amongst the structures destroyed, was a supermarket, the Manaledzi High School library and the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate's Court. The estimated amount of the damage caused by the storm is more than R500 000.

One of the storm victims, Ms Maria Mamunana indicated that when the storm hit her village, she was at home with her four children. Together with her children they tried to remove her furniture during the storm. Her house's corrugated roof was badly damaged and some of the sheets, which were part of the roof, were not found. She is now temporarily living with her neighbours. She appealed to anyone who is willing to help the family to contact the Sinthumule Tribal Office.

The PRO of the Makhado Municipality, Mr Peter Muleya this week promised to help the affected families and communities. He said that the municipality would make use of the disaster fund to bring relief to those affected.

In the meantime, the Minister of Blankets, Mr Amie Chhaya donated bags of mealie-meal and blankets to the victims of the storm. Khosi Eric Sinthumule thanked Mr Chhaya for what he has done.