Africa-Press – Eswatini. The hailstorm that struck the Manzini city on Saturday evening left a trail of destruction in its wake, damaging property and vehicles, sending many residents scrambling to repair the damages.
About 18 cars were reportedly damaged at Liqhaga Flats, while an undisclosed number of vehicles were also damaged in Matsapha, Boyane, Ngwane Park and other parts of the hub of the country. According to those affected, the storm had resulted in them incurring costly repairs, as they had to spend money they had not budgeted for. A businessman who resides at Liqhaga Flats shared with this publication that over 18 cars were damaged by the heavy hailstones. He revealed that his car’s windscreen would costs E4 600 to repair. “The storm has posed a serious challenge to us as vehicle owners, because I for one, will have to spend E4 600 for my car’s windscreen. The mechanic says he has to purchase the windscreen in Mozambique,” the dejected car owner said.
Absence
Another car owner whose rear windshield was shattered, said he would spend E1 800 in repairs. The resident of Liqhaga said he was taken aback by the whole incident. “There is no other way but to seek the assistance of micro lenders because this needs prompt attention,” he said. He decried the absence of car shelters or car ports at the flats, further suggesting that they should be installed to prevent such occurrences. He was of the view that the same happened last year at Liqhaga Flats, where more damage happened on a majority of cars. A visit to Manzini Auto Zone found many cars parked outside the premises, with their owners awaiting service for the repair of windscreens and rear windshields. Some kombis were also affected by the storm as they were seen being fixed. A manager at the store said she could not confirm the exact figure of vehicles that had come for quotations for repairs after the storm. She advised this reporter to return today.
… SNAT MEMBERS’ CARS NOT SPARED
MANZINI – Over 200 vehicles belonging to members of the SNAT Savings and Credit Cooperative Society were not spared from the extensive damage caused by the hailstorm that struck on Saturday. The members of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) co-operative had convened at Esibayeni Lodge in Matsapha for a conference, where delegates from all regions of the country gathered to elect a new SNAT SACCO Board.
Conference
SNAT Secretary General (SG) Lot Vilakati said: “There were about 274 teachers who had attended the conference and out of these, about 200 cars belonging to the teachers were damaged.” He said the conference saw the election of a new leadership of SNAT Cooperative, which is a cooperative for SNAT members.
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