At least 50 homes and a school were damaged this week by strong winds in the Eastern Free State. There's no estimation of the damages yet, neither have any injuries been reported.

According to the SA Weather Services over 50 homes were damaged by the strong winds in Bethlehem and Harrismith.

On Tuesday (19/9), strong winds lashed parts of the country, including Central South Africa, and brought heavy rain and storms.

Strong wind caused structural damage to many people's property. Photo: Facebook

There were reports of damages to homes as far as Rustenburg and Klerksdorp.

A healthcare centre was also damaged by the strong winds in Stilfontein, near Klerksdorp.

Provincial Health spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane told OFM News the damage caused by the storm was not as severe as initially thought. Lekgethewane said a mere part of the roof was affected at that community healthcare facility. 

In 2021, the Albert Moroka Secondary School in Thaba Nchu was hit by a hailstorm during the marking of the Class of 2021’s matric exam papers. The storm ripped through the area and blew off the roof of the centre. Some of the markers were injured by falling debris. The school hall, marking centre, control room and some classes were damaged.

OFM News