Sizane High School classroom blocks and office, and eight houses and a block of flats in Pelandaba, Bulawayo lose roofs in storm

MORE than eight houses and a block of flats in Tshabalala suburb were destroyed by heavy winds that were accompanied by light rains on Saturday, forcing community leaders to appeal for assistance.

Tshabalala Clinic and some shops at Machipisa shopping centre in the same suburb were also damaged.

Mahlabezulu Primary School in the suburb had the roof of one of its blocks blown off.

The Schools’ Development Committee chairman Mr Lawrence Munhivi said the committee called an emergency meeting yesterday following the incident.

“We’re here at the school for an emergency meeting after what happened yesterday. We’re trying to find out how best we can address this problem so that the pupils’ learning isn’t disrupted,” said Mr Munhivi.

The school’s headmaster Mr Harrison Ndlovu said the situation was worrying as Grade Seven examinations are set to start tomorrow.

“Some parts of our Grade Seven block have been affected and we are very worried because exams are starting on Tuesday.This puts us under a lot of pressure. We’re however grateful that this happened on a weekend and nobody was injured,” he said.

Some classroom blocks and offices also had their roofs blown off at Sizane High School in Pelandaba suburb.

Bulawayo provincial education director Mr Dan Moyo yesterday said he could not comment as he had not yet been briefed on the matter.

Tshabalala Residents Association chairperson Mr Methuseli Mpofu appealed to well-wishers to assist residents whose houses were damaged on Saturday.

“We’re appealing to the corporate world and every member of the community to assist the affected families. This is not only a Tshabalala matter but we have been informed that more places around the city have also been affected,” he said.—By Andile Tshuma. source-chronicle