Hailstorm leaves students with no classrooms

Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday October 25, 2016 15:42

Some classroom roofs were blown off, trees uprooted, and houses destroyed when the powerful hailstorm hit the city.

Until the Gaborone City Council repairs the affected classrooms, classes will have to share. Even though the headmaster would not agree to be interviewed, a source within the school, who requested to remain anonymous said that the lessons were cancelled last Friday and students told to go home.

“The pupils have not attended any class since Friday, there are plans however to take them into other classes as the council repairs the classrooms,” the source said.

When Mmegi team visited the school yesterday, a block of three classrooms remained roofless as a result of the hailstorm. Council workers could be seen cleaning up after several trees were also taken down by the storm.Gaborone deputy district commissioner, Lesang Kgomoetsile said that the council is already working on fixing damages in schools where some classrooms have been left roofless. He said in the meantime the students will share the existing facilities with others so that teaching and learning continues.

On businesses and households, Kgomoetsile said the 149 affected businesses and households will not get any compensation. He said the most the government can provide is food and temporary shelter for up to six months.

“We are providing food for affected people, we also provide shelter in tents and other facilities until the people can build back their structures,” he said. “We can only advise people to insure their goods at all times even though in this case it could be difficult for them to claim. Also, people need to place their valuables from danger,” he said. Kgomoetsile also advised that people should be careful when positioning trees in their homes and also not park cars under trees.