The South African Weather Service (SAWS) confirmed there were two tornadoes on New Year’s Day in Mpumalanga.
They were reported across the eastern highveld of Mpumalanga – one just to the north-east of Middelburg, and the other one near Carolina.
No casualties were reported, but properties were damaged.
SAWS researchers said in a statement this week, access to affected farms in the north-eastern area of Middelburg, was near impossible, due to the extent of the damage.
But eyewitnesses confirmed there were strong winds and large hailstones after 6pm on the day.
Another reported seeing a funnel-like feature, below the cloud near Stoffberg Road.
Since New Year’s Eve, the SAWS issued Levels 2 and 4 warnings for potential severe thunderstorms in the areas.
A Level 4 warning was forecast for Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.