Another fire at Matopo High

A FIRE broke out at Matopo High School in Matabeleland South Province on Tuesday, barely a week after a hostel at the same school was reduced to a shell in what school authorities suspect to be a case of arson.

The headmaster of the Brethren-in-Christ Church-run institution, Mr Gardson Sibanda said the latest incident occurred in the morning as learners were preparing for the day’s school activities.

He said the fire broke out at a building located adjacent to a hostel where the school keeps extra mattresses.

Mr Sibanda said a quick reaction by authorities saved the day as there was minimum destruction of property.

“A few mattresses were damaged but it wasn’t much compared to the previous incident, which occurred last Friday and for that we are grateful,” he said.

Mr Sibanda said preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was started by mischievous learners.

“From what we are being informed, one of the learners saw someone who was walking outside while carrying something that looked like a small cup with something glowing which we believe could have been a burning log. This person was topless but putting on a jogger short,” he said.

“As soon as that boy got behind the building, a fire started. The intention of this arson is yet to be established through thorough investigations. What happened is simply mischief by our learners.”

Mr Sibanda said during winter, the school geysers are not performing to expectations hence the school has resorted to using firewood to boil water.

He said the school is taking necessary steps to prevent future incidents and also supported the affected students.

“After everything has been said and done, as a school we are working flat out to stop any further incidents occurring. We want to make the hostels a safe environment to live in,” he said

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena said she was yet to get information on the latest Matopo High School fire incident.

On Friday last week, the school’s hostel housing 52 learners was reduced to rubble after a fire broke out in the early morning hours and destroyed everything inside including learners’ uniforms, trunks and beds. However, there were casualties.

The fire brought down the roof, shattered windows, and left spring mattresses sitting on charred steel bases as it ripped through the hostel which housed 50 Form Two learners and two prefects who are in Upper Six.

Mr Sibanda said they are still quantifying the value of the lost property. He said reports from both the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) Fire Brigade, which attended the scene and Zesa indicate that the cause of the fire was an iron that was left lit and unattended.

Mr Sibanda expressed gratitude to the Brethren-in-Christ Church for reacting swiftly by providing all the affected learners with complete sets of uniforms and tracksuits.

Matopo High School Old Students Alumni have also been granted authority to launch a GoFundMe campaign for hostel reconstruction.

The facility was commissioned in 2019 by the church’s Bishop Sindah Ngulube.