Hailstorm destroys Insiza

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STRONG winds and hailstorms left a trail of destruction in Insiza district.

STRONG winds and hailstorms left a trail of destruction in Insiza district.

ALBERT NCUBE OWN CORRESPONDENT

Three pupils were injured at Denje Primary School on Friday afternoon when roofs were torn off classroom blocks and some houses destroyed.

When Southern Eye visited Denje, about 57km from Filabusi centre, which has an enrolment of 270 pupils, shocked teachers and villagers had gathered at the school. Only two classroom blocks escaped the destruction.

Asbestos debris was strewn all over the school yard while some zinc roofing sheets had also been blown about 200m away from the school and some hung on trees.

The school head Florah Edina Tshuma said strong winds that lasted less than 10 minutes had left a trail of destruction. Filabusi Rural District Council officials said the estimated cost of repairing the damage is almost $40 000.

“We were about to dismiss for lunch when strong winds accompanied by light rains started blowing ripping roofs off some classroom blocks,” Tshuma said.

“We managed to put pupils into two classrooms which were not affected, but unfortunately three pupils suffered minor head injuries when they were hit by broken asbestos sheets. We don’t know how we are going to operate under such circumstances,” she said.

Insiza district education inspector Jester Gumpo, who visited the school to assess the damage, urged the teachers to be patient while the school was being repaired.

“We urge churches, non-governmental organisations and the community to work together in repairing the damage at the school. In the meantime, I would like to urge the teachers to stay put at the school,” Gumpo said.

Staff houses were also destroyed by the winds and despite being glaringly evident that the school can no longer be used in its current state considering the rainy season, Gumpo said the school will not be closed.

“The decision to shut down the school lies with the permanent secretary,” she said.

A parent, Gladys Tshuma, said the incident had left pupils traumatised and was likely to force most children to stay at home.

“Many of the children are shocked and now that their classrooms are roofless, they are likely to stay home as they will be afraid to go to school,” she said.

Denje Primary School was built by the Salvation Army church in 1981 before World Vision erected more classroom blocks in 2003.

Meanwhile, some homeless Insiza villagers whose houses were destroyed, have appealed to the government to assist them rebuild them.