Aganang Local Municipality disaster officials were on duty over the weekend to provide assistance to 11 households damaged by heavy thunderstorms in Vlakfontein village, Ward 19-Matlala area.Friday disaster strike left many sorrows and frustration to the affected family members and children as their valuable properties and groceries were destroyed by heavy rains. Mohlatlego Chokoe s house was affected by the disaster as part of her house roof was completely blown away and remained with only one room. Anne Manamela was inside Chokoe s home when disaster struck and felt the season when it was not raining but pouring. It was around 4 pm when heavy stormed destroyed our house and everything inside it. Every item that was in the house was watered including our groceries and electrical appliances, she sadly expressed

Motlabaile Chokoe s house was identified as one of the most hit amongst four other households including Mamphotlele Drop in Centre as they were unroofed by the Friday afternoon storms. Motlabaile was with her children when her house was left without corrugated irons. I quickly covered the children with blankets and made sure they were protected from any danger, and then screamed for help from my neighbour s family. There was nothing to save from the house and we slept at my sister s house as she is not staying far from us, says the worried mother.



Ward Cllr Tlou Marutla worked closely with the disaster team to ensure the provision of necessary assistance to the affected families. Cllr Marutla expressed his worriedness over the damaged Mamphotlele Drop in Centre as Vlakfontein orphans were receiving meals on a daily basis. I am very concerned by the intensive damage encountered by Mamphotlele Centre as all 94 orphans in my Ward are being fed from it. It is really painful and I hope it can be attended to as soon as possible, says Cllr Marutla.



ISD Officer Irene Matsi who was on-site to assess the disaster caused indicated that the disaster was under control and managed by the Municipality. We have visited the 10 damaged houses and provided them with tents and blankets. We are still going to engage other stakeholders such as SASSA to determine if they can not help us by providing food parcels to the affected families. This storm has badly affected 5 households and we will be providing assistance, says Matsi.



Aganang Local Municipality Her Worship Cllr Maria Mokobodi visited Vlakfontein families to show her support through these difficult times and was impressed to witness community members already hard at work fixing the destroyed houses. Men wore blue work suits and used hammers on bolts to fast-track fixing of damaged houses.

It is not the first time Vlakfontein area experienced terrible disaster attack. In 1996, many shops and houses were completely destroyed by the so believed to be from a tornado. Ward Cllr Marutla said that is assumed to be tornado pathway and occurs after 5 years with varying impact in his Ward. This year s thunderstorms had a powerful speed compared to the 1996 disaster and we normally experience it after five years in Vlakfontein by concluded Cllr Marutla.