Decision to close schools in areas hit by inclement weather to ensure safety of pupils - Winde

CAPE TOWN - The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has commended the Western Cape government for its response to the current inclement weather conditions.

This after the provincial government took the decision to temporarily close all schools on Monday in areas which include the Cape Winelands, Helderberg, and Overberg districts. 

During a media briefing on Sunday, Premier Alan Winde confirmed that private schools were also being engaged to adhere to the precautions put in place.

Winde said that lessons had been learnt, which is why the decision to close schools was taken.

He said this was to ensure the safety of pupils.

"We have already seen some schools lose their roofs. We have seen in Kayamandi some fires that go with these high winds. We have seen in Drankenstein some fires that go with these high winds."

Meanwhile, weather forecaster Rudzani Malala has expressed concern about areas like the Overberg, Helderberg, and the Cape Winelands.

"I think we need to also take consideration that [at] level nine, we are expecting quite a lot of disruptive rain, hence the call being made of shutting down schools and maybe other businesses may also be affected. We understand that this is not a small decision."

The South African Weather Service said that areas where yellow level six and yellow level four warnings were forecast must not be ignored.