Shamaine Chirimujiri
STAFF WRITER
TEN people died and 107 schools destroyed between October and December last year due to violent rains. Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, Civil Protection Unit acting deputy director Lameck Betera said the government and its partners were now renovating the schools.
“A total of 107 schools nationwide were destroyed as a result of violent rains, whilst the country recorded 10 rainfall-related deaths.
“So far, renovations in some schools are underway, and we are trying to ensure that learners don’t have to learn in those destroyed schools as it is risky,” Betera said.
“We are working with our partners to ensure that we renovate the schools affected before the schools open next week. We will be distributing specific building materials to the affected schools, “We are very lucky that most of the schools were destroyed during the school holiday.
“The public should be cautious during this rain season, avoid tempting to cross flooded roads, and I would discourage churches that worship outdoors to depart when thunderstorms occur.”
He also called on stakeholders to mobilise resources to assist victims affected, highlighting insufficient resources as a major hindrance for the unit to effectively respond to disasters.
“I call on stakeholders, including individuals, to complement our efforts and ensure we have sufficient rescue resources to support our economic development. “It’s unfortunate that the CPU doesn’t have its own warehouse to store resources, making them readily available in times of emergency.”
Meanwhile, he said six artisanal miners were trapped underground after two abandoned mineshafts collapsed in Mashonaland East Province due to heavy rainfall. This follows over a week of rescue efforts by authorities since the first incident occurred on December 29 last year. Betera highlighted the high risks involved in rescuing them.
“On December 29 last year, during heavy rains, three miners in Wedza were trapped underground after a mine belonging to J and M Mining collapsed. Last Saturday, three others were trapped again at Olimbu Mine in Makaha, Mudzi, after one unknown miner managed to escape.
“The six miners are yet to be rescued. The rescue team, together with the ministry of Mines, is still figuring out a safe way to rescue the victims without causing more fatalities,” he said.
“An assessment we conducted shows that there is a high risk of the mines collapsing totally if we use heavy machinery to locate the victims, as the mines have severe visible cracks,” Betera explained.
“It is sad that we have always been raising awareness and educating people on the dangers of mining during the rainy season, but due to ignorance, people continue to do otherwise.”
“I would like to advise the public to be cautious during this rain season, miners should consider stopping mining activities during heavy rains.”