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Thubelihle Mabhena Chronicle Reporter
A HEAVY storm destroyed homes and classrooms in Matobo District over the weekend forcing pupils to learn in the open. Some of the people whose homes were destroyed have gone to live with relatives, while more than 200 pupils at Tshelanyemba Primary are learning in the open after three classrooms were completely damaged and two others had their roofs partly blown away.

Matabeland South Provincial Minister Cde Abedinico Ncube said he had received a report on the destruction, but was yet to visit the affected areas. Matobo South MP Cde Saul Mahalima Ncube told Chronicle yesterday that the situation was desperate.

“It is a desperate situation, as we speak children are learning outside since the heavy storms on Saturday. Tshelanyemba Primary school had five classroom roofs blown away,” said Cde Ncube.

“Three of the classrooms were totally ruined while two of them where partly destroyed. The students affected are in Grades 4-7.”
Tshelanyemba Primary School authorities could not be reached for comment.

However, Cde Ncube further said some surrounding homesteads were affected by the storm as well.
At Tolapi, a five roomed house’s roof was totally shattered by the heavy winds.

He said the situation was traumatic for the victims and appealed to the public to assist to alleviate suffering.
“The circumstance is another challenge to the community following the closure of Tshelanyemba Hospital because scores of people were dependent on the institution for medication,” said Cde Ncube.

The hospital was closed recently after it went for three months without electricity, leaving it without water. Nurses resorted to fetching water using buckets from Shashani River 2km away from the hospital.