Zimbabwe: Heavy storms damage schools and convent

St Francis Xavier Mission compound was covered in debris from the sudden storm. Image ZCBC

Source: Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference

St Francis Xavier Primary and Detema Secondary Schools in Dete, northwest Zimbabwe, were seriously damaged by a heavy storm on Saturday, 10 December 2023. The storm also caused huge destruction to the Daughters of Calvary Sisters community house.

St Francis Xavier Mission Parish Priest, Fr Adolf Wisdom Simwinde, said seven classrooms and the administration block had their roof stripped off by the storm at St Francis Xavier Primary School. Detema Secondary School was also badly badly damaged and the roof of the convent was blown away. No one was reported injured, but the sisters had to move to nearby Bethany House, while the Postulants had to relocate to the Novitiate.

Fr Simwinde said the storm also affected the business community, the railway station and the workers' compound and it uprooted some trees and destroyed power lines. The priest noted that the storm has destroyed sources of livelihoods for many people in Dete.

He has appealed for financial and material support so that they can be able to renovate the affected buildings before the opening of the schools.