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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
THE Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Ambassador Aaron Maboyi has appealed to well-wishers to assist 69 families in Mangwe District who were affected by a hailstorm which left two people dead.
Fifteen others were hospitalised after they were injured during the hailstorm which swept through Mangwe District on Saturday night destroying several homesteads.
Sixty-nine families in two villages in Brunapeg Ward had their homesteads damaged. Two of these families were left homeless.
Ambassador Maboyi and members of the Matabeleland South Provincial Civil Protection Unit yesterday visited the affected areas. He expressed shock over the extent of damage.
“Affected families are in dire need of assistance. They need food, clothing and blankets as their valuables were damaged by the rains. The conditions that the affected families are now living under are so alarming. Whatever help at this stage is important. Among the affected are elderly people and orphans,” he said.
Mangwe acting District Administrator who is also the acting chairperson of the Civil Protection Committee, Mr Onismo Zvogara said they were still assessing the extent of the damages, but severe damage was recorded in Phathisanani and Old Line Villages in Brunapeg Ward.
He said the number of affected families was likely to rise as they were yet to receive details from other villages.
Mr Zvogara said the district civil protection committee had so far appealed to non-governmental organisations operating within the district to provide assistance.
“We have started mobilising resources to assist the affected families but we also appeal to well wishers to chip in. Families are in desperate need of food, clothing and shelter. The rainy season is just starting and these families need to be assisted as soon as possible,” he said.
Mr Zvogara said Ambassador Maboyi handed over 100 kilograms of maize to each of the two bereaved families.
Chief Sangulube of Mangwe District said the hailstorm started on Saturday at around 7PM and lasted for about three hours.
Offices and staff houses at Mphoengs Border Post and Mphoengs Police Station were damaged. The roof of a classroom block at Sangulube Primary School was partly damaged.
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