400 houses damaged in quake

Orkney - At least 400 houses have been damaged by the earthquake that hit the area of Orkney in the North West on Tuesday, Premier Supra Mahumapelo told reporters.

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"We have heard of 400 houses that have been affected in the area," said Mahumapelo.

The earthquake was felt in most parts of the country with the epicentre in the Orkney area. Mahumapelo said other parts of the North West were also affected but the township of Khuma in Orkney was the hardest hit.

"The preliminary report is that the problem is bigger in Matlosana," he said.

Mahumapelo said he was in a meeting in Mahikeng when the earthquake struck and buildings had to be evacuated. Upon hearing of the destruction, he rushed to the area to see first-hand the kind of damaged caused.

He said it was the responsibility of government to assist those affected.

"It is the responsibility of government to make sure we take care of our people. I have spoken to the Matlousana municipality along with the provincial departments of safety, local government and finances to see how best the people can be assisted," he said.

Mahumapelo met two women whose houses were destroyed and assured them that government would provide a place of safety for them and their families to sleep for the night.

He told Mamosa Melato who was inside her house when parts of it collapsed that a plan would be made regarding how best to rebuild their lives and houses.

Melato said she and her husband were both unemployed and could not afford to rebuild their house.