Pretoria – A severe hailstorm hit Pretoria and parts of east Johannesburg early Monday, leaving behind significant damage.
Hailstones damaged roofs, carports, and roads, caused localised flooding, and forced road closures, including at Es’kia Mphahlele Drive and Nienaber Avenue in Pretoria North.
The Festival Mall in Kempton Park and the Northcliff water tower in Johannesburg were among the affected infrastructure.
#NDABANEWS: FESTIVAL MALL CLOSED AFTER ROOF COLLAPSE IN SEVERE HAILSTORM
KEMPTON PARK, EKURHULENI – Festival Mall has been forced to shut its doors after part of the roof caved in during a fierce hailstorm that battered the area on Sunday night.
Management confirmed that the… pic.twitter.com/hPNp44DshD
— Thulani Ndaba (@tndaba) December 1, 2025
Emergency services are assessing the damage, clearing roads, and ensuring public safety.
“This includes evaluating affected infrastructure, identifying high-risk areas, and coordinating the clearing of roads to restore accessibility and ensure public safety,” The Citizen quoted Tshwane Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson, deputy chief Nana Radebe-Kgiba, as saying.
A look inside festival mall after yesterday’s heavy rain. The roof over Edgars collapsed. The mall was closed today while structural engineers were assessing the damage. pic.twitter.com/fonZyFl4Kf
— THE DIRTY BASTARD (@heisalive4all) December 1, 2025
The Montana Retirement Village saw water flooding above knee height, prompting the relocation of patients to prevent injuries from collapsing ceilings.
⛈Large amounts of hail reported at 📍Montana Retirement Village
The hail was so intense that many elderly residents are currently unable to leave their homes, and vehicles cannot safely move in or out.
Remember to check in on vulnerable & elderly neighbours after severe storms pic.twitter.com/AcRzy0Q9Jq
— Vox Weather (@VoxWeatherZa) December 1, 2025
Weather experts warn that hailstorms are likely to become more frequent over the next three months and urge the public to take weather warnings seriously.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
