JOHANNESBURG – Heavy hail storms that swept across Gauteng on Monday afternoon after a hot and humid day wreaked havoc across the province, leading to blackouts and traffic gridlocks.
The South African Weather Service had previously warned about the hail storms which later left 5 dead and at least hundreds displaced as their homes were destroyed.
It is reported the most affected areas were largely in the Western part of Johannesburg with golf-ball-sized stones ravaging cars, windows and homes.
The hail was accompanied by heavy winds which destroyed trees and blew off roofs leaving people with nowhere to hide.
Residents leaving in sharks where the most affected as their homes were either blown-off or flooded with water.
The Craddle Stone Mall in Krugersdorp had its roof blown off. No injuries were reported but shoppers reported on broken car windows in the parking lot.
Mogale City Spokesman Nkosana Zali says many people in the West Rand have been affected and left stranded as their homes were blown off during the hail.
“At least 64 people in Tarlton are requiring accommodation, 35 in Munsieville old location and 80 percent of Mayibuye township have lost roofs as well,” he said.
Other parts of the country which were equally affected include Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
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