One moment Avhapfani Nenzhelele was busy packing her clothing in her one-roomed house. The next moment she was covered by dust when a heap of bricks and a corrugated iron roof fell on her and her 10-month-old twin girls.

For this miraculous escape, Nenzhelele (28) of Maembeni outside Thohoyandou believes that God protected them and made sure they came out unhurt.

The incident happened last Thursday morning. “It was around 11:00 and I was with my twins, Tsireledzo and Aluwani, when a strong wind came up. When I went to close the door, the roof was blown off. Immediately, a heap of bricks fell and we were trapped inside the house until neighbours came and helped us out,” she said.

Nenzhelele indicated that she had learnt some lessons from the incident. “I now know that a person can die anytime. Three corpses could have been removed from the house. I have also learnt that God protects us all the time. Had it not been for Him, we would have died, and we are very grateful He saved us from certain death,” she said.

She said the incident left her stranded because she does not have any place to go or put her belongings. “I am confused now; I do not know what to do. I am not working and took a long time to build this one room from scratch. The father of the twins left me on my own, and I have nowhere to go."

Local traditional leader Mphalaleni Rasivhaga said the incident had left her with a heavy burden. “We do not know what to do as of now. This is a big problem for all of us as the woman is left with nothing and has nowhere to go. We knew that this would happen and we just thought maybe she would be lucky and get an RDP house, but it is taking a long time and now this has happened."

Ward councillor Matodzi Netshifhefhe visited the family and did not waste time in arranging temporary shelter and food for the family. “This is an extreme case which needs urgent intervention, and I have spoken to the disaster people to make a tent and food available, so that they can be accommodated temporarily,” he said.