The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal has activated councillors and volunteers to assist affected communities after a tornado hit New Hanover, Pietermaritzburg, on Tuesday afternoon.
The tornado, according to the department, “ripped through the area, injuring scores of people and damaging homes and public infrastructure”.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka said preliminary reports received by the department indicated a number of people, who had sustained injuries, were currently receiving medical treatment at surrounding hospitals.
“A number of homes have collapsed, countless trees have been uprooted and the electricity supply in the area has been interrupted. Our teams are working hard to provide support to the affected communities.”There are fears of possible missing people and deaths.
Earlier, News24 reported the South African Weather Service was hesitant to confirm it was a tornad
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