Story by Providence Maraneli
SEBOZA Primary School in Gwanda South is facing a serious threat from the Mkhaliphe River, which has redirected its flow towards the school.
The continuous rains in Matabeleland South province have made conditions unbearable for both staff and learners as they endured several hours of flooding at the school this Wednesday afternoon.
Due to heavy siltation of the Seboza Dam downstream, the Mkhaliphe River has shifted its flow towards the school, endangering the lives of learners and teachers.
“We are so scared to send our children to school because they might be swept away, yesterday after heavy rains teachers and children had to find shelter in unaffected classes,” a concerned villager said.
“Water covered everything in the teacher’s quarters, so we are worried we might lose our teachers fearing for their lives,” another villager added.
Councillor Cde Ntokozo Ndabalime stated that the school is at risk of being destroyed.
“We are worried that our school may be destroyed, we want our children to continue learning and the situation is terrible. If you look today, all the teachers are not there because of the children, we are on a standstill, we need urgent intervention.”
Matabeleland South Province has been receiving heavy downpours since December last year, with major infrastructure like bridges and dam walls under threat.
