Teams from the Department of Transport and Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal say they have responded to reports of wind damage in the Pietermaritzburg area. Heavy winds overnight caused widespread damage, with some residents reporting fallen trees and power outages. This comes as the weather service has issued a level five warning for heavy downpours and localised flooding in some parts of Gauteng, the Free State, North West, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal.
We are working with the Umsunduzi Traffic Department. Our team from the Road Traffic inspectorates is working with various Traffic Departments just to clear various road networks as we have received a report of fallen trees. We have also received reports of various houses being damaged. We are in contact with our roving team from human settlements. The team is working with other members of disaster teams just to assess the damage that has been caused, says the departments spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya.