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A boys’ hostel block whose roof was partially blown away by strong winds at Sinoia Primary School on Monday

John Murwira Mashonaland West Correspondent
STRONG winds that hit Chinhoyi town on Monday afternoon left a trail of destruction, including destroying a boys’ hostel at Sinoia Primary School, a service station and power distribution infrastructure.

The gusts of wind lasted for about 30 minutes, uprooting some trees and removing roofing sheets from Sinoia Primary School and the Noczim Service Station in Chikonohono suburb.

When The Herald visited the school, authorities were making frantic efforts to source material to repair the damaged classroom block.

Provincial education director Mr Silvester Mashayamombe said work was already underway to repair the damage before schools open next week.

“The boys’ hostel was damaged by the strong winds experienced on Monday,” he said.

“We have sent our team to assess the damage, trusses are still there, but the school has some of the material in place.”

Ward 1 Councillor Tapera Mutovido called on the community to chip in and help restore the affected building.

Cllr Mutovido thanked the school leadership for being proactive.

“This is a natural disaster and what is needed is for the community to unite, put our heads together and ensure that the situation is bought back to normal before schools opens,” he said.

“The school leadership has already proved their capability by putting together workable solutions to make sure the dormitory is repaired urgently.”

Several buildings at Banket Primary School near Chinhoyi had their roofs blown off recently following strong winds which also affected crops, including tobacco.