The KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Department says teams have been deployed to assess damages caused by strong winds and snow fall in parts of Umkhanyakude and Umsunduzi among others.

The department’s spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila says many houses and schools have been destroyed, shelter and food are being provided to affected residents.

Mzila says they’re yet to verify the number of schools that are affected.

“So far, our teams are still going out doing assessment and the numbers are coming in. But we already know that a school just within ward 6 in Umsunduzi in area called Tailors, the whole roof was blown off by the strong winds. Also, in Harding and Umkhanyakude as well schools have been affected.

MEC for CoGTA has urged parents to make sure pupils continue to roads that are safe. We are working closely with all other departments within the province to ensure that we get all the reports in terms of the damage.”