MHINGA - The Thulamela Municipality officials and the local community of Mhinga near Malamulele are still reeling in shock after a community rehabilitation centre roof and wall collapsed shortly before a wedding reception at the end of last year.

Eyewitnesses, who saw the horror, said approximately 300 community members were preparing to go inside the hall during the wedding reception ceremony, when the roof tiles and wall collapsed on the floor.

Luckily no one was injured as guests were asked to leave the hall when the guests of honour were delayed. The horrible incident caused damage to the sound system, chairs, tables, cups and all decoration equipment. The wedding reception was stopped as a result of the disaster.

The chairperson of the Mhinga Rehabilitation Center, Mr Francis Mhinga, said that the hall was built and donated by the Department of Trade and Industry in 1994 and officially opened in August 1995. The hall is 21,7m in length and 12,9 width.

He also stated that all community structures are totally depressed because they were using the hall for events like funerals, weddings, church services and community meetings.

"We are pleading with anyone who can help us by renovating all buildings soon before we experience a second disaster. I'm very deligthed because no one was injured in the disaster," said Mhinga.