Randfontein residents experienced a terrifying ordeal on Wednesday, 27 November, when a sudden tornado tore through the area. What began as a day of ordinary weather quickly turned ominous as dark clouds gathered and heavy rain began to fall, culminating in the unexpected storm.
Among the victims was Carmen Smith, a pregnant woman who was relaxing at a neighbor’s house in Toekomsrus when the tornado struck. The storm uprooted a tree that narrowly missed crashing into the house. While the structure remained intact, Carmen was so shaken by the incident that she went into early labor and was rushed to the hospital, where she is currently receiving care.
The tornado caused widespread damage, impacting 110 houses and leaving several families in distress. A local teacher, whose property was partially damaged, expressed gratitude that the falling tree did not crush her home, although her wall fence was reduced to rubble. Local councillor Balderic Dreyer confirmed that approximately 430 families were affected, with several injuries reported, including a child hospitalized after a wall collapsed on him.
Efforts are underway to assist the affected families. Dreyer assured residents that plans are being implemented to provide support and help rebuild homes in the devastated area. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the resilience of those affected.
