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Cogta Warns of more bad weather as hail storm devastates Newcastle

KZN Disaster teams have been despatched to the City of Newcastle, following vicious hailstorms that wreaked havoc last night damaging both public and private infrastructure in the municipality.

Newcastle in the north of KZN experienced a particularly devastating hail storm which wrought significant damage on homes, smashing windows and property.  The worst affected areas are the township of Osizweni, Madadeni and rural areas. Hail storms are endemic in this part of the province during the summer season.

Disaster teams are on the ground providing first line emergency relief support.

“We express our sympathy with the community of Newcastle.  We are working together with the municipal disaster teams to take stock of the damage and provide emergency relief support.  As we enter the summer season with its history of unpredictable weather patterns and disasters, we must urge all residents and visitors to KZN to heed our weather warnings and exercise utmost caution when weather reports point to heavy storms and the like,” said KZN MEC for Cogta Nomusa Dube-Ncube.

“As we take stock of the hail storm in Newcastle, we would like to assure the public that our disaster management teams are ready to assist all affected communities with emergency relief,” said Dube-Ncube.

For more information contact: KZN Cogta spokesperson Lennox Mabaso, 082 884 2403 or Msawakhe Mayisela on 0609664220

ENDS