Shacks fly as ‘Tornado’ hits West Rand, clips destroyed and dozens injured

Multiple videos have emerged online showing a significant weather event in Gauteng that caused significant damage
A tornado reported on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, destroyed homes and businesses and injured twenty people
Social media users reacted to the footage with concern, with many surprised by the recent occurrence of tornadoes in SA

Clips show devastation as dozens of people were injured after a tornado ripped through Gauteng West Rand — Numerous videos on social media have captured the aftermath of a reported tornado on Gauteng’s West Rand. Photos: @KingsleyMcTladi, @Lesufi
Source: Twitter

RANDONFONTEIN – A powerful tornado was reported to have ripped through parts Gauteng on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, causing significant damage to infrastructure.

Multiple videos posted on social media captured the extensive damage left by the violently rotating column of air after it hit Toekomsrus, Mohlakeng and Westonaria on the West Rand.

Huts fly as ‘tornado’ hits West Rand

Twenty people were reportedly injured in the storm.

The Gauteng Provincial Joint Operations Committee said it had received reports of a possible tornado. Simultaneously, SA Weather Service (SAWS) said it was investigating whether a severe storm caused the tornado.

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Videos recorded by residents and sent to X show the destructive force weather an event where homes, businesses and structures lay in ruins.

AND video @Abramjee’s website shows the mall in Toekomsrus after significant weather damage.

One second clip showed uprooted zinc roofs spinning in the air, and a resident who filmed the damage expressed concern at what he saw.

“This can’t be the reason for the rain! Just look at the zinc (covering). And look how white it has turned,” they tell another person.

The reported West Rand tornado followed similar sightings in Harrismith, KwaZulu-Natal on November 13.

Tornadoes are not common in South Africa. However, they occur quite regularly and the probability of their occurrence remains low.

University of Pretoria (UP) Meteorologist prof. Liesl Dyson stated in the article that tornadoes usually form during thunderstorms.

Similarly, a tornado that was reported to have made landfall in Harrismith two weeks earlier caused residents to take notice of the weather phenomenon.

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Photo shared on the website Facebook showed a shiny white and gray swirling column of air near an informal settlement.

It was not clear which area or when the tornado struck after user Sphamanla Sphah Dube, a member of the Severe Weather and Information Center SA group, posted the photo.

Since its publication, the photo has sparked a flood of concerned reactions from many interested in tornado sightings.

It was no different for residents witnessing the event on the West Rand on social media.

@nevillembamayi wrote:

“Tornado? I doubt it, but maybe storms and strong winds. But jerrr, this destruction is terrible.”

@Petro_lk6 said:

“I’m sorry, guys. I’m so sorry. I pray that you all recover. (On) June 3, we also faced (a) tornado that devastated Tongaat, Durban.”

@Cellydhl added:

“Is it today (November 27)? It was raining there. I remember that in 2017 my car was damaged and written off due to rain.”

@_Lolo_Pat noted: