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Gauteng Premier David Makhura David Makhura intends to declare some parts of Gauteng disaster areas following the severe storms and strong winds that hit the province on Monday, 9 October 2017.

This decision was taken at an ordinary meeting of the Executive Council Meeting today, following a briefing on the extent of the damage by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).

The storms left a trail of destruction in parts of the City of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and the West Rand District Municipalities.

About 840 houses have been damaged by the storm and an estimated 1600 people have been affected and with five fatalities reported so far (2 fatalities occurred as a direct result of the storm whilst 3 fatalities occurred as a result of motor vehicle incidents) and assessment of the damage is still ongoing.

“We are taking the necessary steps to declare some of the affected areas disaster areas so that we can tap into all available resources to assist those who have been displaced by the storm rebuild their lives,” said Makhura.

Two schools in Krugersdorp have been damaged by the storm, namely Laerskool Protearif and Laerskool Muldersdrift.

The Department of Education is currently working with School Governing Bodies, Community Members and other key Education Stakeholders in negotiating for temporary accommodation at neighbouring schools and churches around the area.

Provincial and Local Government Disaster Management teams have been working around the clock in assisting with providing temporary relief for those affected by the storm.

“Our sympathies go out to all the victims of the storms and I wish to express our heartfelt condolences as the provincial government to the grieving families.  We wish all those injured speedy recovery,” said Premier Makhura.

Premier Makhura also thanked the Emergency Management Services, Provincial Disaster Management, and Community Safety for acting swiftly in their response to the disaster which led to the mitigation of the disaster.

Issued by Gauteng Provincial Government