Residents tell of 'terrible rain'

HAVOC: 'WE JUST STOOD, SAW WALL COMING DOWN'

- Faizel Patel, Eric Mthobeli Naki & Michel Bega

As Joburg residents try to recover from the havoc caused by heavy rain that swept across several parts of the city, two residents described the horror of "terrible rain and wind" and gushing water that left them scurrying for cover.

Heavy rain wreaked havoc on Wednesday, flooding parts of Johannesburg.

Floodwaters affected several areas, including Randpark Ridge, Newlands, Strubens Valley, Weltevredenpark, Jukskei Park and Witkoppen Road.

Rina Raath, who experienced the flooding in Weltevreden Park, said it was a frightening experience. She said the adverse weather conditions destroyed a boundary wall at her house.

Raath said when her daughter returned from work, they just stood and watched the horror unfold.

"The terrible rain first started and it was pouring. And then, all of a sudden, this terrible wind came. We just stood and saw the wall coming down. It looked like the Vaal River coming down."

Raath said the water level was about a metre high.

"In the living room, the water was like rivers in the house, with the mud and sand and stuff..."

Another Weltevreden Park resident, Patience Mujeni, said she was at home when she heard a loud “boom”.