Storm

More than 20 schools across the North West have suffered damage after destructive winds swept through the province over the weekend.
The damage has affected school roofs and mobile classrooms, raising concerns about teaching and learning as schools reopen on Monday.

Destructive winds affect schools across four districts
The North West Department of Education says destructive winds damaged four schools in Ngaka Modiri Molema District and 12 in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.
Destructive winds also damaged four schools in Bojanala District and six schools in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
The department says the damage includes blown-off roofs and destroyed mobile classrooms.

Damage follows severe weather warning
The destruction comes after the province experienced severe weather over the weekend,. North West placed under an Orange Level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms.
The warning highlighted the risk of damaging winds, heavy rain, hail, excessive lightning and localised flooding.
The latest damage has put further pressure on already strained school infrastructure, while the department continues to repair three schools recently damaged by fires.

Teams assess damage
The Department of Education says it is assessing the full extent of the damage and will put urgent measures in place to minimise disruption to teaching and learning.
Infrastructure teams are expected to assess affected schools and determine what work is needed to make them safe.
MEC for Education Dr Desbo Mohono said the safety of learners and staff remains the department’s priority.
The department says it will continue monitoring the situation and responding to damage as reports come in.