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Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent

STAKEHOLDERS from various Government departments are carrying out further investigations and surveys at Globe and Phoenix Primary School to ascertain the extent of the damage of underground pits being caused by illegal mining activities.

The stakeholder include officials from the Ministry of Mines, Environment Management Agency (EMA) Kwekwe City Council, police and miners engaged in mining activities around the school. 

The school is under siege from illegal miners who are randomly digging within the school premises thereby putting the lives of pupils and teachers in danger.

Trenches dug under classrooms by illegal miners at Globe and Phoenix Primary School in Kwekwe

The stakeholders held an emergency meeting to map a way forward as there are fears that the school buildings could collapse as there are tunnels running under the buildings.

The meeting follows an initial visit to the school by the stakeholders who unanimously agreed that the learners at the school were in danger as most classrooms are no longer usable.

The stakeholders insisted that lessons should continue while further investigations to ascertain the extent of the damage underground is being conducted.

Chairperson of the Kwekwe District Civil Protection Unit (CPU) Mr Fortune Mpungu said a meeting was held on Friday last week where it was recommended that rehabilitation should start as soon as possible.

“We met officials from the Ministry of Mines, Environment Management Agency (EMA) Kwekwe City Council, Zimbabwe Republic Police and miners. After receiving reports from all stakeholders, the general recommendation was that lessons should continue while we work on the rehabilitation of the premises, ” said Mr Mpungu who is also Kwekwe District Development Coordinator (DDC).

Environmental Management Agency

The school head, Mr Isaac Bvupajena has said the school should be relocated as it is no longer safe for pupils and staff.

Meanwhile, Kwekwe City Council and the miners have been tasked with the responsibility of carrying out the rehabilitation work.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will soon inspect the buildings to establish whether or not they are still safe to accommodate pupils.