The Herald SMS

I am alarmed by the high death toll caused by the floods, as per story in your paper on Friday. It suggests we may be doing something wrong. Recording 246 lost lives is a terrible indictment on our Civil Protection Unit and information dissemination. It may be worthwhile probing each and every lost life. That way the nation may improve its disaster preparedness. We owe that, at the very least, to the dear departed. - Chirorodziva.

*** The headmaster or a designated staff member is the only person allowed to administer corporal punishment (read the Education Act). This is the beginning of moral decay in a nation. Yes, corporal punishment is not good but small doses of beatings and kutsunya will continue at home and school. This is Africa. That is why there is such indiscipline in developed countries. The Bible says if you spare the rod you spoil the child. Light beatings are necessary, especially for a child, for that’s the only language they understand. We grew up on corporal punishment and looking back it was a good thing. It motivates one to act right. Now wait and see how kids will begin to behave at school and in public. This is irresponsible by the lawmakers of the land. - Rudo Mutasa, Bindura.

*** We must be thankful to the Lord and stop complaining all the time. Water levels in the Kariba Dam have been rising since January. The hydrology figures of the Zambezi River and Kariba Dam are updated every week. I must point out that so far, I am impressed with the figures. The lake normally starts rising in March up to mid- June, but this year it has been rising since January. The biggest problem I think is honesty and management of water in the lake between Zimbabwe and Zambia. - Joseph Pambireyi, Kariba.