President Jacob Zuma had to stop mid-speech when the tent he was in collapsed at a Day of Reconciliation event in Gopane, North West, on Friday. A fierce storm saw all news broadcasts cut and people stampeding out after the marquee's top was lifted in the air by strong winds.
Two police officials, a local mayor and a chief are among nine people believed to have been injured at the event. It was towards the end of Zuma's speech when strong winds and bad weather conditions made it unsafe for him to continue.
Presidency spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said Zuma stopped and left the marquee because it was becoming unsafe.
“He was not injured and is fine,” he said.
More pictures after the cut
The Presidency had checked the weather prior to the event and the forecast had indicated that there would be scattered showers and thunderstorms in Zeerust.
There would be a high of 31°C and a 40% chance of rain.
North West Provincial spokesperson, Brian Setswambung, said the storm shook the tent violently.
The event was attended by several politicians, including North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo, Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa and North West MEC for Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs Ontlametse Motshware.
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