Soweto – A severe storm damaged the roofs of Regina Mundi Church and Reutlwile Secondary School in Soweto on Monday, prompting Johannesburg emergency services to place specialised rescue teams on high alert.
Sections of the roofs at the prominent church and the public no-fee school in Molapo were partially blown away during the storm.
City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi confirmed that firefighters responded to both incidents in the afternoon.
“The first incident was at the Regina Mundi Church, where the roof was partially blown away, with no injuries reported in the area,” Mulaudzi said, according to The Citizen.
Storm damage: Reutlwile Junior Secondary School and Reginah Mundi Church, Soweto, JHB. https://t.co/dmE9BnbU99
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) October 19, 2026
He added that the second incident occurred at Reutlwile Secondary School, where the roof was also partially blown away.
In a separate report, eNCA confirmed that emergency teams were assessing structural damage and potential risks to nearby residents.
STORM DAMAGES REGINA MUNDI CHURCH ROOF IN SOWETO
By Thulani Ndaba | News On The Go
ROCKVILLE, SOWETO – A storm has damaged the roof of the historic Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto. https://t.co/wplJ8hLPFL
— Thulani Ndaba (@tndaba) October 19, 2026
IOL likewise reported that the emergency services would remain on high alert overnight, with search-and-rescue and swift-water rescue units on standby.
“Our specialised teams remain on high alert, which includes our search and rescue units, and also our swift water rescue unit remains on high alert to respond to any emergencies which might occur overnight,” Mulaudzi said.
Residents were urged to report life-threatening emergencies to the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services Command and Control Centre on 011 375 5911.
The incident comes amid wider weather concerns across parts of South Africa. The Citizen reported that the South African Weather Service had issued a yellow level 2 warning for damaging winds and waves along KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast, with additional warnings for damaging interior winds in parts of the province.
No injuries were reported in the Soweto incidents, while the extent of the structural damage was not quantified in the reports.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
