A Grade 3 learner from Mahindi Primary School in Mberengwa District, Midlands Province, tragically lost her life when a grocery store collapsed while she was seeking shelter from heavy rain on Monday evening.
Mberengwa District Development Coordinator Vafias Hlabati confirmed that the girl, wearing her school uniform, was struck by falling rubble and died on the spot.
Meanwhile, at Zvemukonde Secondary School, 14 other learners were injured when a classroom block lost its roof due to the storm.
Hlabati said that the learners were hit by roofing sheets and were taken to Zvishavane District Hospital for treatment.
Fortunately, by Tuesday morning, all the injured learners had been treated and discharged.
The severe weather caused significant damage across the district, affecting 21 schools, two district hospitals, and 54 homesteads.
The district has reached out to the provincial office for assistance, as lessons and examinations at the impacted schools have been disrupted.
In addition to the classroom damage at Zvemukonde Secondary, Hlabati said Mnene Hospital, the main referral health facility in the district, also suffered damage, with some wards losing their roofs and water tanks being affected. He said:
<blockquote>
It’s a serious disaster, we also have over 50 homesteads which were damaged and villagers are staying in the open. We are mobilising tents and food for the affected families but we are overwhelmed.
</blockquote>
Mberengwa District is seeking approval to arrange alternative shelter for examination candidates who have been left stranded due to damage to their schools.
Besides Zvemukonde Secondary, several other schools were affected, including Masase High, Mnene High, Mbuyanehanda High, Jena Primary, Chimbapire Primary, Ngezi Primary, Chebvute Primary, and Chemakudo Primary.
Hlabati said that he held an emergency meeting with the Provincial Civil Protection Unit to address the situation.
The Meteorological Services Department has forecast localised downpours across the country from Monday through Friday.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

A young girl from Mahindi Primary School died when a grocery store collapsed during heavy rain. 14 other learners were injured at Zvemukonde Secondary School. The severe weather also damaged many schools, hospitals, and homes in Mberengwa District. The district is seeking help for the affected families and students. The Meteorological Services Department predicted more rain for the week. Everyone is working to support those impacted by the disaster.

Grade 3 Learner Dies In Grocery Store Collapse

Zimbabwean Ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi, has confirmed that three Zimbabweans were injured when a partially completed five-storey building collapsed at 75 Victoria Street, George, Western Cape, South Africa on 06 May 2024.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/george-building-collapse-embassy-confirms-3-zimbabweans-survived-as-death-toll-rises-to-33/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, Hamadziripi said that the Embassy sent a team to the scene to provide support and gather more information. He said:
<blockquote>
We don’t have a precise number. What we are aware of is at least 3 survivors because I had a team from the embassy and the consulate in George and they did meet those 3 survivors, 1 who had been hospitalized but has since been released from hospital.
</blockquote>
Hamadziripi said they were aware of reports that three Zimbabweans died in the accident but they have not received any official confirmation yet. He added:
<blockquote>
As of yesterday, we were informed that the scene where this building collapsed is a crime scene so it is still under the control of the South African Police Service and of course with the emergency services doing the search and rescue effort.
Once they have completed that phase, they will hand the building over to the Department of Public Works and the Department of Labour and then of course investigations will be already underway as to the cause of the collapse of the building and this is being undertaken by the competent authorities of South Africa.
</blockquote>
The ambassador said they are ready to provide any necessary assistance to affected nationals, including potential repatriation of remains if requested by families. He said:
<blockquote>
As we have done in the past we have had disasters in this country where our nationals have been affected, as an Embassy representing the Government and the people of Zimbabwe we have always gone to provide support and assistance as needed so on some occasions we have provided for repatriation of the bodies if the deceased relatives so request that they would want to repatriate the remains of their loved ones for burial in Zimbabwe.
So yes we stand ready to assist but we need first to determine how many Zimbabweans are indeed affected and what type of assistance is required.
</blockquote>
In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, the George Municipality said the total estimated individuals on-site when the incident occurred was 81. It added:
<blockquote>
Rescued and recovered: 62, of which deceased: 33 (27 males, 6 females); Currently hospitalised: 12; Unaccounted for: 19.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

George Building Collapse: 3 Zimbabweans Escaped Death, Says Ambassador

The death toll in the George building collapse has risen to 33, with 19 people still unaccounted for.
The incident took place at 75 Victoria Street, George, Western Cape, South Africa where a partially-built building collapsed on 06 May, 2024.
According to the George municipality, 81 individuals are estimated to have been on site when the building collapsed.
In an update on Wednesday, the municipality said 62 people had been recovered of which 33 (27 males, 6 females) are deceased.
Currently, 12 people are hospitalised, 19 are unaccounted for, and 47 victims have been linked to their families.
The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) had been investigating the consulting engineer overseeing the construction, Atholl Mitchell, for alleged breaches of conduct before the collapse.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is investigating to determine if there were any human rights violations.
Emergency workers continue to search for survivors and provide support to the affected families.
George Municipality said that the donations of fresh food received for the affected families who remain in the George Civic Centre are adequate.
It added that donations may be redirected to AFM (AGS) Soteria Church at 27 Victoria Street in George for those still willing to contribute.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape Department of Social Development has indicated that a comprehensive range of services will continue to be made available to the affected families for a minimum of 6 months.
The municipality revealed that 11 of the 18 people identified among the dead were foreigners, with 3 of them being Zimbabweans.
Many of those on-site at the time of the collapse were from Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
7 of the 18 identified are South African, with 5 coming from Malawi 2 coming from Mozambique, 3 from Zimbabwe, and 1 from Lesotho. The municipality said:
<blockquote>
The identification of descendants is the responsibility of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness FSP [Forensic Pathology Service] manages the visual identification in support of the SAPS.
After an incident such as this, visual identification can understandably be difficult and traumatic for family members and requires SAPS to undertake identification through scientific means, of which DNA testing is one method.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

SA: George Building Collapse Death Toll Rises To 33

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the unfortunate incident in Harare Central Business District where a building collapsed, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to six others.
The tragic event occurred on Chinhoyi Street on April 6, 2024, around 3:30 PM during a hailstorm.
ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi also reported that three vehicles parked in front of the building sustained damage.
The victim, identified as Yolanda Hodzi, an adult female from Maridale, Norton, was positively identified by her next of kin.
Asst. Comm. Nyathi stated that the victim’s body was taken to the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary for a post-mortem examination, while the injured individuals were admitted to the same hospital.
The injured victims were identified as listed:
<ul>
<li>Kudzaishe Mafauna (20), a male adult of Ushewekunze, Harare</li>
<li>Trywell Leadmore, a male adult of Adlean, Westgate, Harare</li>
<li>Wadzanai Baureni, a female adult of Waterfalls, Harare</li>
<li>Brendon Madondo, a male adult of Unit K, Chitungwiza</li>
<li>Conilias Chiwaka (41), a male adult of Ruwa</li>
</ul>
The damaged vehicles are: a Mazda 323, registration number, AAW 5934; a Toyota Probox, registration number, AGE 8052; a Toyota Spade, registration number, AGN 6805. Said Asst Comm Nyathi:
<blockquote>
The value of the damaged property is yet to be established. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is conducting investigations with relevant authorities, including the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) to ascertain the cause of the tragedy.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Woman Dies, Six Injured As Building Collapses In Central Harare

Nandos in Bulawayo has reopened yesterday following its closure in February this year after its veranda roof collapsed on customers and passersby killing one person.
Speaking to The Chronicle chief executive officer of Simbisa group who run the eatery, Warren Meares, said that Bulawayo City Council had given them the green light to reopen after their landlord Tetrad carried renovations. He said a dry run was conducted on Monday where they invited certain friends such as suppliers to get a feel of the place and the food. Meares guaranteed the roof will not collapse again.
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/nandos-bounces-back-from-building-collapse/">Chronicle</a>

Nandos Bulawayo reopens following building collapse

The Bulawayo City Council has revealed that there are 35 buildings within the city which have been condemned in the interests of public safety. This comes after three people were injured and one was killed when a building housing Simbisa Brands restaurant <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/news/2017/02/18/pictures-nando-building-collapses-bulawayo/" target="_blank">Nandos collapsed along Jason Moyo last weekend</a>. However, the Council noted that the building which collapsed was not on the list of condemned buildings. Bulawayo council spokesperson Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said:
<blockquote>As at the 31st December 2016, 35 buildings were condemned
Regular building inspections are done to all buildings in the city and should defect be noted on any of these buildings, including those with historic merit, corrective measures that ensure safety, stability and preservation of historic outlook are prescribed to the owners of such buildings.</blockquote>
However, she refused to name the condemned buildings. On the collapse of the Nandos building, Mrs Mpofu refused to comment say the council investigation was still ongoing.
More:<a href="http://www.sundaynews.co.zw/35-city-buildings-death-traps-council/" target="_blank"> Sunday News</a>

35 buildings condemned as death traps by Bulawayo City Council

The Bulawayo City Council has revealed that there are 35 buildings within the city which have been condemned in the interests of public safety. This comes after three people were injured and one was killed when a building housing Simbisa Brands restaurant <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/news/2017/02/18/pictures-nando-building-collapses-bulawayo/" target="_blank">Nandos collapsed along Jason Moyo last weekend</a>. However, the Council noted that the building which collapsed was not on the list of condemned buildings. Bulawayo council spokesperson Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said:
<blockquote>As at the 31st December 2016, 35 buildings were condemned
Regular building inspections are done to all buildings in the city and should defect be noted on any of these buildings, including those with historic merit, corrective measures that ensure safety, stability and preservation of historic outlook are prescribed to the owners of such buildings.</blockquote>
However, she refused to name the condemned buildings. On the collapse of the Nandos building, Mrs Mpofu refused to comment say the council investigation was still ongoing.
More:<a href="http://www.sundaynews.co.zw/35-city-buildings-death-traps-council/" target="_blank"> Sunday News</a>

Wellington Manganga who was hospitalised together with three others after a Nandos Building collapsed in Bulawayo, has died.
Manganga (29) sustained serious head injuries when the building collapsed on Saturday afternoon and died on the same day at Mater Dei Hospital. However the condition of the other three people is unknown at the moment. Nandos Zimbabwe said it was investigating the cause of the collapse. Manganga leaves a wife Kundai Mugabe and a daughter who has not reached six months.
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/death-in-nandos-building-collapse/">Chronicle</a>

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