adminSukulwenkosi-Dube-Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
A TOTAL of nine schools in Mangwe District have been damaged by a hailstorm that left two people injured.
Several homesteads in the district were also damaged by the hailstorm. The hailstorm first struck on Friday night and hit the same area on Sunday causing severe damage.
About 10 homesteads and shops at Dukwe Business Centre in Madabe Ward were also destroyed and two villagers, one of them a juvenile, sustained some injuries.
Mangwe District Schools Inspector, Mr Danisa Nkomo, said the affected schools are Makuzeze, Khahlu, Tjingababili, Nguwanyana, Silima and Bulu primary schools as well as Mqokolweni, Tahangana and St Francis secondary schools.
“Nine schools from my district were affected by hailstorms which hit the area and these schools are all in need of assistance. The worst affected are Tjingababili and Nguwanyana Primary Schools.
“In Tjingababili all the classroom blocks and teachers’ cottages were damaged and they need repairing while at Nguwanyana Primary the roofing to one classroom block was blown away. All these schools have not received any assistance.
“School authorities have tried to engage parents in order to mobilise resources for repairs but that isn’t enough. These schools need to be repaired soon so that lessons are not disrupted next term,” he said.
Tjingababili Primary School deputy headmaster Mr Chamunorwa Midzi said the school needed $20 000 for repairs. He said they needed to replace the roofing and windows to all classrooms and teachers’ cottages.
Computers, a printer, roofing, window panes, text books, exercise books and electric gadgets at the school were also damaged by the rains.
In the neighbouring Bulilima District, 50 homesteads in Bambadzi Ward were recently destroyed by a hailstorm which hit the area. Villagers also lost their livestock.
@DubeMatutu
Bongani Ndlovu