NATIONAL NEWS - An eight-year-old boy was left with serious head injuries after being struck by giant hailstones during a violent storm that ripped through uMshwathi Municipality in KZN on Saturday, tearing roofs off homes and leaving the community shaken.
The Witness reports that Bandile Madondo from Efaye had been sheltering at a neighbour’s house when the storm hit.
Speaking to The Witness on Monday, his grandmother, Dumazile Madondo, said Bandile had tried to walk home, thinking she had returned.
But while waiting for her outside, he was pummelled by the hailstones. He ran back to the neighbour for shelter and assistance.
They bathed him and gave him warm clothes, but when his mother came back, she rushed him to the clinic.
“He was immediately transferred to hospital for treatment. We almost lost our child. The size and force of those hailstones… it’s devastating,” said the distraught grandmother.
Madondo said the family is still reeling from the ordeal. “He’s trying to be strong, but he was really hurt. This has traumatised all of us.”
Ward councillor Bheki Mbutho said the storm left extensive destruction. “The size of the hailstones and the force of this storm caused widespread damage across uMshwathi.
“Families lost roofs, belongings were ruined, and a young boy came close to losing his life,” he said.
uMshwathi Municipality mayor Mandla Zondi said the storm lasted about 25 minutes but caused severe damage.
Affected areas include Efaye, Kwazibusele and eMtulwa, with disaster teams on the ground assessing the situation. He urged residents to remain cautious and stay in safe places.
Meanwhile, the search continues for Zanele Ndlela (28) from Ndwedwe and Lungelo Bhonswayo from the Eastern Cape, who both went missing on 23 November after heavy rains destroyed homes, washed away roads and displaced residents.
Monday marked seven days since they were swept away by raging floodwaters, leaving their families devastated and desperate for answers. Official reports show that 108 households were affected, impacting 465 people, many of them from Lesotho.
A total of 117 houses were damaged — 50 partially and 67 completely — leaving 79 people homeless.
Zondi said it was heartbreaking that the search had gone on this long with no success.
The Ndlela family has sought accommodation in New Hanover, and every morning they join the search team in looking for their loved one. The situation is really devastating.
Sydney Govender, commander of the uMgungundlovu District Municipality Fire Department, said about 10 members of the fire department are on the ground.
“The district drone teams are still active in the area, but there has been no luck in recovering the two bodies,” he said.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
