Johannesburg: The North West Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) continues to monitor the situation across the province to fast-track reconstruction, relief, and rehabilitation efforts following severe weather that caused widespread damage over the past weekend.
According to South African Government News Agency, the PDMC issued an update report on Wednesday, stating that it has embarked on a risk and vulnerability assessment to determine the extent and severity of damage caused by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storms between 4 and 6 September 2026. This severe weather followed an Orange Level 6 warning from the South African Weather Service (SAWS), resulting in destruction, structural damage to private and public property, flooded roads and bridges, and power outages in some areas.
The PDMC activated a Provincial Joint Coordinating Committee (PJCC) through the heads of the District Management Centres (DMCs) to ensure a coordinated response to potential disaster incidents. Tebogo Gaolaolwe, Head of the PDMC, confirmed that the North West is among the worst-affected provinces, with critical infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, roads, and libraries, impacted. Gaolaolwe reported that 60 schools have been affected.
Significant damage to residential property was noted, with 53 houses and 21 informal settlements in Bojanala District damaged. In the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, 94 houses were damaged, two injuries were reported in Danville following a house fire, and one fatality was recorded in Mareetsane village, outside Mahikeng. Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District reported 32 houses damaged, with 11 affected by flooding in the Mamusa, Greater Taung, and Kagisano Molopo Local Municipalities. In Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, Matlosana and Maquassi Hills Local Municipalities saw 13 houses damaged.
Rising water levels on the N14 road between Vryburg and Kuruman, as shown by water level indicators, have affected the reopening of the road to heavy motor vehicles. Preliminary reports are being collated to inform requests for assistance through the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC). Gaolaolwe stated that engagements with the NDMC are underway, with the disaster's classification allowing for funding to be reprioritised and reallocated to assist affected sector departments and municipalities.
Assistance has been provided to affected families in various local municipalities in the form of blankets, mattresses, and food parcels. Others have been referred to the Department of Social Development, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), and the Red Cross. The PDMC, as the coordinating authority of the PJCC, continues to monitor developments throughout the province, with ongoing assessments informing further interventions to accelerate relief, reconstruction, and rehabilitation in the affected communities.
