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Herald Reporter
Just 59 people from 43 families in Budiriro B, on a wetland next to the Marimba River now in flood, have accepted the Government’s offer to be evacuated to Budiriro 2 Vocational Community Training centre, preferring to remain with their families.
Most people in the area, which lies close to the Marimba River now risen in flood, had been affected by the floods yesterday and were paddling as they moved between houses.
The Department of Civil Protection believes the area, with its flooding, is unsafe, but will not force evacuation.
It is, however, pushing hard for early commissioning of a flat complex in Dzivarasekwa Extension for permanent resettlement of the households in Budiriro B and the abandonment of the settlement.
Residents who spoke to The Herald said the decision to evacuate women, leaving men behind guarding their properties, will propel the destruction of many marriages.
Mrs Susan Bure said in the flooding last season she accepted evacuation, but when she returned she found that her husband was living with another wife.
“We are not going anywhere,” she said.
“Our marriages will collapse because of this issue. We value marriages and we are sure that if we go our marriages will break. Yes, Government has made a decision to save lives, but this appears not to work at all. We don’t want to lose our marriages.”
Mrs Meggy Munaku was concerned about the spread of diseases in a crowded evacuation centre.
But other residents who have been evacuated thanked Government for the timely intervention.
Mrs Tendai Mangwiro said the Government showed commitment towards its citizens, adding that the initiative will help to minimise the dangers.
“We are grateful; we were living in fear,” she said. “Our houses have so far been damaged because of floods and heavy rains. We were afraid for the safety of our children and even us adults.”
Another resident, Mr Tonderai Mandiro, said the damage to the buildings was a sign of dangers to the loss of lives that may happen, adding that the evacuation will make them safe until the rainy period passed.
Department of Civil Protection director Mr Nathan Nkomo confirmed that only 59 individuals were willing to be evacuated, adding that the organisation did not force anyone to go to the safe centre.
“Those who feel vulnerable should go for the purpose of saving lives,” he said.
“The area is a condemned settlement and people cannot continue staying in such wetlands and close to the river basins.”
Mr Nkomo said the Government will inject more funds to accelerate the construction of Dzivarasekwa Extension flats where most of the affected people will be residing.
He said people who were affected by the floods should settle their minds so that they decide the best decision which will ensure safety.
“We are not denying anyone some conjugal rights,” he said.
“If you feel you need them, you are free to go back and have conjugal rights with your partners. It’s unfortunate if we lose people’s lives during this rainy period.
“If you are in trouble you will not even think of these useless things. We are not forcing you, you choose what to do in this situation.”
Mr Nkomo added that all sources of water were also contaminated in the area, adding that there was no way people could continue to live in such an area.
Last week, floods damaged 43 houses in Budiriro when the Marimba River burst its banks, while 57 houses in Nyatsime were damaged when the Nyatsime River rose in flood.
More damage was also recorded in several parts of the country, including in Gokwe, as downpours persist.
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