Mitchells Plain residents were among the first to experience severe thunderstorm conditions, ahead of a Yellow Level 2 warning for Cape Town.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued the Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms for Tuesday and Wednesday (22,23 September 2026) across the city and other parts of the province, namely the Central Karoo, Overberg, Garden Route, West Coast and Cape Winelands districts.
“Yellow Level 2 warning for Severe thunderstorms leading to localised damage to vehicles, excessive lightning, large amounts of small hail as well as localised damage to infrastructure is expected,” read the SAWS weather alert, with an additional Orange Level 5 warning issued for severe thunderstorms in the Central Karoo on Wednesday.
This is after residents across Mitchells Plain reportedly experienced strong winds and hail, with rain, thunder and lightning reported across Cape Town in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Early assessments by the City’s Fire and Rescue Services Department confirmed that about 50 structures were damaged by strong winds in the Tafelsig area.
Locals in community-based groups on social media began sharing news of damage to properties, claiming that a tornado may have hit the area.
The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre noted on Tuesday morning that while it cannot confirm whether the incident was the result of a tornado, it was able to confirm that “high-velocity winds” caused damage to properties.
“This situation is fluid and more information will be made available as it comes to hand,” said Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson, Charlotte Powell.
Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, confirmed that emergency teams responded to calls for assistance and noted that several structures were damaged in and around Maanskynkop Street.
“At approximately 04:35 on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, reports were received of damage to properties in Maanskynkop Street, Tafelsig. Crews from Mitchells Plain, Bellville, and the Incident Management Team (IMT) Type 5 were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, crews found that several houses had sustained damage, with roofs having been blown off. At this stage, it is estimated that approximately 50 structures in and around Maanskynkop Street have been affected,” said Carelse.
No injuries were reported as a result of the winds, but Carelse noted that one woman was treated for shock.
Carelse added that emergency personnel would continue to monitor the situation.
Regarding claims that a tornado hit the area, SAWS spokesperson Hannelee Doubell said it was unlikely at this stage.
“It was probably a strong wind, but not a tornado, as there is no other proof as yet [of] the signals that signify a tornado,” said Doubell.
*This article has been updated and edited to include additional information from the South African Weather Service.
