Cllr SA Khumalo assessing the damaged bridge between Smashblock and Maroelafontein with Traffic Officers of Thabazimbi Municipality and Department of Roads and Transport.

By Joshua Motsomane

SMASHBLOCK –The year 2011 ended on a disastrous note when more than 100 shacks were blown away by a tornado on 29 December 2011 at Smashblock informal settlement.

Municipality Disaster Management Team, Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) officials together with the ward councillor was on site to assist those who were in need. The shacks were repaired and food parcels and blankets were distributed to the affected families as their food were damaged by rain.

The bridge between Smashblock and Maroelafontein was also swept away by strong water. A motorist drove through and the broken bridge damaged his car. No fatality was reported and one person was injured and admitted to the hospital.