A security guard and father of four tragically lost his life when an uprooted tree fell on him during the recent storms that wreaked havoc across the Western Cape.
Also read: Woman suffers fatal mountain fall during the storm
According to police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie, the incident occurred at Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate around 8am on Sunday.
‘Preliminary information reveals that the adult male was patrolling along the fence of the property with a quad bike when a tree fell on him. He succumbed to multiple injuries.
‘Wellington SAPS opened an inquest docket for further investigation,’ he adds.
Alfons Kakwata’s widow, Katrina, told Cape Argus that she spoke to her husband minutes before the accident occurred.
‘I called him to tell him that a neighbour’s zinc flew and broke our window, he said we would talk about it when he got home. Around 9am, my brother-in-law told me he was going to come and see me.
‘I immediately had a bad feeling. It got worse when I saw his bosses coming into my home. They told me there was an accident – he was on a quad bike and he got off it and a tree fell on him. It was because of the strong winds.
‘He died instantly. My children are (…) broken.’ She adds that he was a good husband. ‘He never waited for Valentine’s or our anniversary, which we were supposed to celebrate (Wednesday), he would show me love every day and I am (…) going to miss him.’
Cape Town Disaster Risk Management (DRM) spokesperson Charlotte Powell says incidents of structural damage were reported in several areas, including Delft, Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Blue Downs, Somerset West, Northpine, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Monwabisi and Strand.
DRM arranged humanitarian relief via its NGO partners while the Roads Department assisted in providing sand in some areas.
A total of 2 779 structures were affected, pending a more detailed assessment.
‘Reports of flooding were received in Gaba Village (Leonsdale/Epping area), 12 structures in Empolweni, Khayelitsha and approximately 400 structures in Monwabisi. In many instances, affected residents are sheltering with friends and family,’ says Powell.
‘Relevant City departments are dealing with burst pipes, electricity outages and managing remaining road closures.’
As reported by Cape Argus, the Department of Infrastructure is still conducting assessments.
‘The department is closely liaising with the national Department of Human Settlements to have fire kits urgently delivered to informal settlements that have been ravaged by fires over the weekend,’ says Powell.
‘While a number of roads in the Overberg, Cape Winelands, Garden Route Districts have been affected, the situation is fluid and rapidly changing.’
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George begins mop-up operations after heavy rains and flooding
Picture: JP Smith / Facobook