Cape storms: Schools in WC's Overberg, Cape Winelands and Helderberg to be closed Monday

CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says all schools in areas affected by severe weather conditions will be closed on Monday.

The areas include the Overberg region, Cape Winelands, and Helderberg.

Winde was speaking at a media briefing on Sunday, after the South African Weather Service issued a Level 9 warning for damaging winds and rain in many parts of the province.

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Winde said the decision to close schools was informed by incidents such as roofs on buildings being blown off and falling trees which pose a risk to pupils.

"You will remember when a decision like this was taken way back when we had those major fires across the Garden Route and those high winds when we saw school roofs coming off."

Outlining plans to deal with the inclement weather conditions in the province, Winde added that the disaster management services would remain on high alert in the case of any major incidents that may occur.

Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service's Rudzani Malala said the government's alert levels were satisfying.

"The damage is starting to be shown, but today we are more worried about the winds. Tomorrow [Monday], we are worried about the amount of rainfall that we will receive. So learning from the previous [experiences], I think we are happy as the South African Weather Service at the level of alertness."