Appeal to help those affected by storm in Wynberg
Wynberg residents whose properties were damaged in strong wind and heavy rain last week are appealing for help.
Some said the wind was like a tornado, blowing off roofs and damaging overhead electrical lines last Wednesday, July 10, around 11pm.
Damaged infrastructure left power outages.
The aggressive wind affected four houses on the corner of Sussex and Bute roads, and crews from Constantia responded to the incident, according to Sonica Lategan, spokesperson for Disaster Risk Management.
Ward councillor Carmen Siebritz, who was also at the scene, said at least 20 homes were affected with four in and around Sussex Road, being the hardest hit by the storm.
Mansoor Wyngaard, of 117 Sussex Road, said the roof of the house he has lived in for 59 years had blown off completely.
“I was born in this house and I am of the 4th generation in this house.This house is all I know.
“The whole ceiling was damaged, floors flooded, cupboards, beds and furniture were damaged,” said Mr Wyngaard.
Maahier Karriem said her entire house on corner of Bute and Sussex roads had been damaged. “However, we managed to get most things out. It's more the trauma we suffered, especially our children so we definitely need to seek counselling.”
Mr Karriem said he had been living there for 18 years and when he moved in he renovated the entire house.
“We have a tenant in front, whose name is Sammy, who had been hit hard by the storm,” he said.
Sammy Ntumba, Mr Karriem’s tenant, said he lived with his nephew, Guelor Mbaya, who is married and the father of two boys, aged 2 and 10.
Mr Ntumba said damaged items included a TV and soundbar, beds, a carpet, curtains and the children’s clothes.
Mr Ntumba had been living there for four years.
“We didn't seek any trauma counselling because everyone is okay,” he said.
Khemal Harris, of 115 Sussex Road, Wynberg, said his roof was totally ripped off. There was damage to both his cars and the house was waterlogged.
Mr Harris is married, with one child, aged 12. ”Everyone is okay for now but trauma counselling is likely needed. We’ve been living here for five years recently, but it's the house I grew up in - so it’s our family home.”
Ms Siebritz said between Plumstead and Wynberg, there were at least 40 streets reporting power outages, fallen trees covering streets which were blocking entrances and exits, an average of 22 flooded streets, which in some instances resulted in flooded homes too.
“The inclement weather experienced in the last week has certainly proven the force and strength of nature.
“The areas of Fairways and Royal Golf Links also reported instances of flooding but were minimal, compared to Bonnytoun Informal Settlement on the outskirts of Wynberg, Plumstead and Wynberg East. The ward also saw the flooding of Ottery Road /M5 on Wednesday July 10 and Thursday July 11,” Ms Siebritz said.
“The damage was devastating and vicious, to say the least. Bricks, roof sheets and all other types of debris were seen laying across streets, residents scrambling around to assist each other by trying to save what they could.
“When I arrived on site Electricity, Fire and Metro Police were already there to assist the families affected. I would fail in my duty as the ward councillor if I did not congratulate and thank family members, friends and neighbours of the affected homes who displayed the true meaning of the term, Ubuntu.”
Anyone who is willing to help, can contact Mr Wyngaard’s daughter Marweeyah Wyngaard at 062 028 6947; Mr Karriem at 072 253 1136; Mr Ntumba's nephew Guelor Mbaya at 078 496 0597; or Mr Harris at 082 766 6645.