A Grade 3 student from Mahindi Primary School in Mberengwa District, Midlands Province, tragically died on Monday evening when a grocery store collapsed as she sought shelter from heavy rain.
Mberengwa District Development Coordinator, Vafias Hlabati, confirmed that the young girl, who was wearing her school uniform, was struck by debris from the collapsed building and died at the scene.
In a separate incident at Zvemukonde Secondary School, 14 students were injured when a classroom block’s roof was torn off by the storm. Hlabati reported that the students were hit by roofing sheets and were rushed to Zvishavane District Hospital for medical attention. Thankfully, all of the injured students were treated and discharged by Tuesday morning.
The severe weather caused extensive damage across the district, affecting 21 schools, two district hospitals, and 54 homes. The district has called for assistance from the provincial office, as the damage has disrupted both lessons and upcoming examinations.
In addition to the damage at Zvemukonde Secondary, Mnene Hospital, the district’s primary referral facility, also suffered significant destruction, with some wards losing their roofs and water tanks being damaged. Hlabati described the situation as a serious disaster, with over 50 homes affected, leaving many villagers exposed. Efforts to provide tents and food for displaced families are underway, but local authorities are overwhelmed by the scale of the damage.
The district is also seeking approval to provide alternative shelter for students preparing for exams, as several schools have been damaged, including Masase High, Mnene High, Mbuyanehanda High, and others.
In response, Hlabati convened an emergency meeting with the Provincial Civil Protection Unit to coordinate relief efforts. The Meteorological Services Department has warned of continued localized downpours across the country throughout the week.
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