At least 100 people have been injured and 400 homes destroyed after a tornado hit the Tembisa township in the East Rand, government has said.
@eNCA Our friend filmed the #Tornado that caused damage to the mall in #TembisaTornado pic.twitter.com/slotZGml1F
— Marguerite. (@margiedgander) July 26, 2016
Speaking to PowerFM on Wednesday, Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, said it would take days before the full extent of the damage could be quantified.
“Right now, our priority is to get people’s electricity back on and working,” Makhura said.
#TembisaTornado Rebuilding in the community with help from government including the emergency services pic.twitter.com/2JCoptF1tp
— Theresa Taylor (@TheresaTaylorZA) July 27, 2016
A tornado ripped through Tembisa on Tuesday, destroying parts of Phumulani shopping centre, and the main hospital in the area.
https://twitter.com/Ruez21/status/757968391269408768
Makhura said it was a miracle that no one had died during the heavy weather. Separately, at least three people died in areas around Durban, following heavy rains and flooding in the vicinity.
On Tuesday morning, the community had started rebuilding their lives, with help from corporates and visits from Julius Malema and Makhura.
#TembisaTornado Shoprite is assisting affected families with Breakfast.STM pic.twitter.com/0kbIdwA0tU
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 27, 2016
CIC @Julius_S_Malema now at the sites of the #TembisaTornado distractions interacting with residents pic.twitter.com/FIoNRqEoVT
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) July 27, 2016
Winnie Mandela residents talking to the Premier and Mayor about the damage caused by #TembisaTornado pic.twitter.com/UTT1pI5euv
— GautengGov (@GautengProvince) July 27, 2016