A powerful tornado struck Montana in Pretoria North, causing significant damage to buildings, vehicles, and trees. Residents of a local complex had to be evacuated after the storm ripped through the area on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. While no injuries were reported, the unusual weather event triggered a flurry of online reactions, including jokes blaming the USA and AfriForum for the disaster.
Tornado Causes Widespread Damage
The City of Tshwane’s Emergency Services Department confirmed that their Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) received multiple reports of the tornado on Tuesday evening. Firefighters and Disaster Risk Management officials rushed to the scene, where they discovered extensive damage.
“The storm uprooted trees and tore off corrugated iron roof sheets from buildings, carports, and other structures along Sefako Makgatho Drive,” the Emergency Services Department stated.
One of the hardest-hit areas was a residential complex on Veda Street, where heavy winds stripped external geysers and roofing from buildings. Many upper-floor apartments suffered water damage due to the destruction. Officials had to evacuate some residents from the worst-affected buildings, though fortunately, no one was harmed.
Recurring Tornadoes in Gauteng
This is not the first tornado to hit Gauteng in recent months. On November 27, 2024, a similar storm struck the West Rand, destroying homes and businesses. Just two weeks before that, on November 13, tornado sightings were reported in Harrismith, KwaZulu-Natal.
Emergency services remain on high alert in Pretoria North, closely monitoring the aftermath of the storm and assessing damages.
Social Media Reactions
The Pretoria tornado quickly became a trending topic on social media, with users sharing footage and speculating about its origins. Some people took a lighthearted approach, jokingly attributing the tornado to political figures and organizations.
One user, @Xindichane, quipped, “This is what happens when you challenge Donald Trump.”
Another, @NaphtallyMO, joked, “I blame AfriForum. Now we’ve got American demons in Tshwane.”
@_bsspotter1 humorously suggested, “The ANC will tell you that Trump and Musk launched an attack.”
Others, however, speculated that the tornado was the result of weather manipulation. @uNyamazane stated, “This looks artificial. We need more live accounts to verify if this is a natural tornado.”
Safety Warnings for Residents
Weather expert Juandre Vorster, also known as “The Weather Hooligan,” advised the public to stay cautious. He emphasized that tornadoes are extremely dangerous and warned people against approaching them for videos or photos.
His cautionary advice follows a recent viral video showing a tornado forming in Butterworth, Eastern Cape, on January 7, 2025.
As South Africans deal with the aftermath of yet another destructive tornado, emergency services urge the public to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines during extreme weather conditions.