Houses and vehicles were damaged by heavy winds and storms in parts of Gauteng last nigh. Large parts in the City of Tshwane were plunged into darkness due to infrastructure damages and they are still without power.

Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson, Thabo Charles Mabaso, said the emergency services worked around the clock but fortunately no fatalities were recorded. "Last night, at around 10pm various parts of Tshwane experienced heavy wind storms which uprooted a number of trees in areas like Valhalla and multiple power outages that were also followed by a number of fire incidents reported in various parts of the city," he said. He added that some houses and shacks had their roofs blown off in the northern parts of Tshwane. Mabaso said shack fires were also recorded in some informal settlements in Pretoria east. "In Block HH Soshanguve, a house roof was blown away and disaster management was activated and no alternative accommodation was required. The family managed to house itself in a room that was remaining. Three shacks were also blown away in Block KK, Soshanguve. Disaster management was also dispatched, and people managed to find alternative accommodation with neighbours."

He said Emergency services had their hands full. "Fortunately, there were no injuries or any deaths reported regarding the incidents that were reported to us. Disaster management has been activated to conduct a full assessment of the damage in various parts where the incidents were reported,"said Mabaso. North West was also affected by the powerful winds, with reports of damage to Moruleng Mall and disturbances as far as Harteesportdam were recorded.

On Monday, South African Wether Services (SAWS) issued a warning that spring thunderstorms were looming over Gauteng, the North West, the Free State, and the eastern Highveld. "The atmosphere becomes conducive for isolated thunderstorms from the afternoon over central parts of the country, spreading eastwards, reaching Gauteng and the eastern Highveld in the evening," said SAWS. Weather changes were seen over the past weekend where high tides and strong winds affected the Cape and KZN coastlines. "This resulted in damage to buildings, swept-away vehicles, beach erosion, multiple injuries and two deaths. Gale force winds, high swells and a higher than normal spring tide occurred at exactly the same time, causing a significant increase in water levels along the coast," SAWS said.