Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande and Luthando Mapepa
A DAM breach at a farm in Chipinge on Sunday resulted in the release of a large quantity of water downstream, killing four people, including minors.
Three more people are still missing, livestock killed and several irrigation pump houses were destroyed.
Dam breach is the collapse or movement of part of a dam or its foundation, such that the dam cannot retain water and in general, the breach results in a release of large quantities of water imposing risks on the people or property downstream.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, who visited the area today (Monday) to assess the damages and console the bereaved families, confirmed the death of the four.
“I am on the ground, and I can confirm that four people have died. Three are still missing. The search continues, and we hope that we will be able to find the missing persons in time,” said Advocate Mugadza.
Civil Protection Unit chairman for Manicaland, Mr John Misi said some of the deceased are minors who were in the company of their mother who was doing laundry downstream, while the other was a male adult on a fishing expedition.
“The dam breach occurred at Bandama Farm, formerly known as Cantebury Farm. Although we are waiting for finer details, we are told that there was a female adult who was washing clothes downstream in the company of her two children and one of them – four years old – was swept away and the body was latter retrieved. One of the children died.
“The other child who was with her mother, a 15-year-old, was swept away and left marooned on a piece of land, but was later rescued.
“The other person who died was a 30-year-old adult who was on a fishing expedition. It happened at a farm that is owned by the late national hero, Brigadier Bandama’s family,” said Mr Misi.
In a separate interview, Chipinge District Development Coordinator, Mr William Mashava, said a search is currently underway for the bodies of missing people, adding that some macadamia farmers were left counting loses after their pumps houses which were placed close to the river in wards Seven and 10 of the district, were destroyed.
“Several pumps houses in wards Seven and 10 which were installed closed to the river were destroyed by the floods,” said Mr Mashava.
Ward 10 councillor, Councillor Piason Sithole said the community, together with help from various stakeholders is on the ground assisting to search a missing body.
He also added that some villagers also lost their livestock.
Online Reporter