Duduza Tornado

[THE_STIG]

Tornado-hit town to be declared disaster zone

Johannesburg - The tornado-swept town of Duduza, near Nigel, south-east of Johannesburg will be declared a disaster area, Ekurhuleni Mayor Mondli Gungubele said on Monday.

"Nature has disrupted the lives of our people. We are in the process of profiling each household and organising a team to co-ordinate the relief efforts," Gungubele said.

An 8-year-old child died and over 160 people were injured when the storm tore through the township on Sunday night.

Hundreds were left homeless and spent the night at a local multi-purpose centre.

Gauteng health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe said six people were arrested for looting homes in the aftermath of the disaster.

"This is the first time that something like this happened in the area. Everyone panicked, and no-one knew what was going on."

Mekgwe said she was inspired by the actions of residents during the night.

"I saw a young lady carrying a child that was not her own. The child was injured and she said she would take him to the hospital while his mother sorts out her home," she said.

Source