Pretoria residents complain of no warning before hailstorm havoc

Some residents in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, have complained that they did not receive sufficient weather warnings before a hailstorm severely damaged their homes.

On Sunday, heavy rainfall resulted in a bed of hail blocking driveways, destroying concrete walls and damaging furniture in their homes.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) warned that rains would persist during the week in parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga and North West.

Atteridgeville resident Itumeleng said that although she knows her area is prone to flooding, local leaders failed to warn the community.

“I think they should let us know maybe if we have a WhatsApp group or something so we know to be prepared for a heavy rain or hail storm, so that we can prepare because now everyone was sleeping around 00:00.”