Families Homeless And Two Dead After Freak Storm Devastates KwaBhaca

Two men have died and several families have been left without shelter after a violent storm struck KwaBhaca in the Eastern Cape.

The victims, aged 29 and 35, were killed when powerful winds lifted their vehicle and hurled it into a wall during a severe hailstorm in Ngwetsheni village on Sunday.

Umzimvubu mayor Zukiswa Ndevu confirmed the incident, describing it as part of a broader trail of destruction caused by the extreme weather.

KwaBhaca lies along the N2 between Kokstad and Mthatha, roughly 100km north-east of Mthatha.

Deadly Eastern Cape Storm Leaves Trail Of Destruction In KwaBhaca

Ndevu said the storm brought intense rain, thunder and strong winds that caused widespread damage across the area.

“The heavy rain, accompanied by thunder and strong winds, caused damage,” she said.

“Two men lost their lives due to the disaster. It is alleged that the pair were sitting in a Polo vehicle, which was blown away by the wind and thrown against a wall.”

Homes were damaged, leaving multiple families without shelter, while others were forced to endure cold and dark conditions after electricity infrastructure was destroyed.

Power Outages And Emergency Response After KwaBhaca Disaster

The storm also tore through Eskom power lines, cutting electricity supply and compounding the hardship faced by residents.

Ndevu said municipal officials had visited affected communities, including grieving families and survivors struggling to come to terms with the devastation.

“We are offering our condolences to the affected families,” she said.

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“In these changing weather conditions, we must work together to restore normality and provide urgent assistance according to the needs of these households.”

Local traditional leader Chief Nosizwe welcomed the municipality’s intervention and called for broader support.

“We appreciate the municipality’s visit following this disaster in Ngwetsheni. We ask for cooperation, especially from Eskom, as power lines have been damaged.”