The storm which hit Cape Town last Wednesday caused damage to 27 schools in the metro central education district.
Jessica Shelver, spokewoman for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, said the education department could not provide the names of the schools which were damaged as it placed the schools in a vulnerable position.
She said that by Thursday June 8, 135 schools had reported storm damage to the City of Cape Town’s Safe Schools call centre with 41 reporting destruction to roofs.
“There are exceptions at some schools that have been severely damaged by the storm. Our district officials are working with schools to implement contingency plans.
“Schools have also reported water damage to classrooms, fallen trees and damage to fences,” she said.
She added that the cost of damage to schools was still being calculated.
“Once we have received the reports on all schools, the total cost of damages and the extent of damages, we will determine the strategy going forward and the prioritisation of reparations works.”
Besides the schools, residents across Athlone also had to pick up the pieces as roofs were particularly hard hit and trees were uprooted by the storm.
In Ward 50, which includes Bonteheuwel, two trees fell over onto homes in Juniper Street and Bramble Way, and a roof was blown off in Rooi Hout Street.
In Ward 45, which covers Manenberg, there were floods in Thames Walk, Rio Grande Walk, Renoster Walk, Red River Walk and Storms River Way. Roofs were blown off in Tambo Village, Sonderend Road and Olga Court.
Numerous backyard dwellers also had to deal with roof leaks.
In Hanover Park, the roof at the informal market was damaged when a tree fell onto it and there were also damages to roofs at Summit and Parkfields primary schools; and at City rental homes in Turfberg Walk and Groenall Walk while fencing was damaged at Athwood Primary and Groenvlei High schools.
Trees were uprooted in Belgravia and Kewtown.
