Globe and Phoenix learners out of danger

Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
Eighteen pupils from Globe and Phoenix Primary School in Kwekwe who were hospitalised after their classroom caved into an underground mining shaft caused by illegal mining activities have been treated and discharged.

The pupils were rushed to Kwekwe General Hospital where they were admitted after the mishap. Kwekwe District Civil Protection Unit (CPU) chairperson Mr Fortune Mpungu said all the children had been discharged.

“All the children have been discharged after they were treated at the hospital. We are grateful to all members of the CPU who reacted swiftly and helped rescue the children and as a result we have no serious case,” he said.

 

He, however, said the children would receive counselling services as most of them were traumatised by the mishap.

“We are running around so that the children can receive psycho-support services as they were traumatised by the development. Before they return to class, we will make sure that they undergo some psycho-assistance so that they can re-gather themselves,” he said.

The school has since been closed. Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo who visited the school soon after the mishap said about 800 pupils from the school will temporarily be sheltered at Sally Mugabe Primary School while the remaining 500 will be accommodated at an alternative venue where lessons would be conducted. He said the CPU was in the process of organising tentage at Sally Mugabe as well as ensuring there was enough water and ablution facilities to avoid an outbreak of diseases.

Minister Moyo said in the long term, the Government was looking at relocating the school to a safer place.

“We will look at the State land that we have available as well as council land that we might utilise for construction of another school. But all that will come once we ensure that the children are safe for now,” he said.

He said President Mnangagwa had directed that a holistic geospatial survey be carried out at Globe and Phoenix compound and its surroundings to ascertain the extent of damage caused by mining activities underneath.

“The President has directed that we have a look at the whole area of the Globe and Phoenix compound and its surroundings because there is every reason to believe it could affect not only the school but other infrastructure in the same area,” he said.

Minister Moyo said the situation could be an indicator to a greater disaster.

“Of course, we went around and had a depiction of the wire mining that was being done by Globe and Phoenix. But fears are that the prevailing situation may be a pointer to greater disaster and people might be in great danger. There is a need for mining engineers to look at the whole system that is prevailing in Kwekwe as a whole,” he said.

He said there was going to be an inter-ministerial taskforce that would spearhead the survey and ways to address the situation.

“We are going to meet Ministers of Mining, Defence and other departments such as the geospatial organisations, health and safety as well as the water department to see how we can collectively come up with solutions,” he said.

Minister Moyo said the Government would accelerate the construction of a Government Complex in Kwekwe as it was now a necessity.

“There is an identified area and if money is available, we need to speedily construct a Government Complex as this is now an emergency. The current building housing Government departments can also be in danger and we need to act fast,” he said.

He said engagements and fore warnings to the community, council and miners would continue as they might also be in danger if they continue operating business as usual.