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Midlands Correspondent
Strong winds destroyed classroom blocks at Mabidhli and Siyezi primary schools, leaving pupils and teachers stranded.

Kwekwe District schools inspector Mr Bernard Mazambani confirmed the incident, saying a team of experts was to visit the schools to assess the damage.

“We received information to that effect that the two schools had their classroom roofs blown away,” he said. “We are yet to visit the school for assessment, but we are told the damage was not that severe.”

Mr Mazambani said there were no injuries.

“Although it happened during the day, we thank God there were no injuries recorded,” he said.

“I think it’s a result of old and outdated roof trusses that might need to be changed.”

Mr Mazambani said officials from the parent ministry and those from Zibagwe Rural District Council would visit the schools.

At Siyezi Primary School, the wind is said to have hit the school soon after the dismissal of the children, destroying furniture and asbestos sheets valued at about $2 000,” he said.

“We are lucky that the wind came after the children had been dismissed, we could have been talking of something else now. I think the school needs repairs as it was built a long time ago, the roof trusses need to be changed as the current ones are now outdated,” said a teacher on condition of anonymity.

Property valued at around $1 500 was destroyed at Mabidhli Primary School after winds left a trail of destruction, but no one was injured.