Maerua Mall shops re-open after rain damage

AT least five businesses were damaged by torrential rain at Windhoek’s Maerua Mall shopping centre between Wednesday and Friday last week.

One of these was clothes retailer Stuttafords, which was closed on Saturday. “Water had collected in the next door shop after its ceiling had caved in, and some of it seeped into our shop and caused some areas to be waterlogged for some time,” said a sales manager at the department store.

She said it was too soon to estimate costs, but that the shop was now open again.

Marlize Mare, manager of African Eyes Optometrists, the shop next to Stuttafords, said water had accumulated in the attic and cause the ceiling to partially collapse.

No-one was present at the time, she said.

Although the optometrists were closed on Saturday they re-opened yesterday.

Mare said at least another three shops in the Mall, including a travel agent and a flower shop, had been affected but all re-opened yesterday.

Jerome Joseph, Marketing Manager of Joseph and Snyman estate agents, which manages the centre, said it was too early to tell the full extent of the damage to the complex, or the full cost.

“Water had collected in the next door shop after its ceiling had caved in, and some of it seeped into our shop and caused some areas to be waterlogged for some time,” said a sales manager at the department store. She said it was too soon to estimate costs, but that the shop was now open again. Marlize Mare, manager of African Eyes Optometrists, the shop next to Stuttafords, said water had accumulated in the attic and cause the ceiling to partially collapse. No-one was present at the time, she said. Although the optometrists were closed on Saturday they re-opened yesterday. Mare said at least another three shops in the Mall, including a travel agent and a flower shop, had been affected but all re-opened yesterday. Jerome Joseph, Marketing Manager of Joseph and Snyman estate agents, which manages the centre, said it was too early to tell the full extent of the damage to the complex, or the full cost.