adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
THE government will soon compensate the remaining 2,500 families settled at Chingwizi in Mwenezi after treasury released $9 million.
Masvingo Minister of State for provincial affairs Shuvai Mahofa told The Chronicle yesterday that families at Chingwizi who were temporarily settled there following floods at Tokwe-Mukorsi early last year, will receive their compensation as per the determination done by the Ministry of Local Government.
“Yes, I can confirm that the government has secured about $9 million for the compensation of Chingwizi families. The families had their homes destroyed by floods and they had to be evacuated from Tokwe-Mukorsi flood basin at the height of raging floods,” said Minister Mahofa.
“We’ve rested at last. As a leader in the province the issue of Chingwizi has been giving me sleepless nights but now the money will be released. The problem will be addressed once and for all. The villagers are being moved as we speak starting from Monday, to their respective permanent settlements.”
Out of about 3,000 families, the government has managed to compensate about 500 families and the compensation amounted to about $2 million leaving a balance of $9 million.
She said the compensation will be disbursed concurrently with the second relocation.
Families presently settled at Chingwizi are set to be relocated to Masangula and other identified farms where each family will be provided with five hectares.
She thanked treasury for “lending an ear” to Masvingo leadership which she said was seized with the matter for a long time.
The Masvingo leadership led by Minister Mahofa has been vocal on the issue of compensating the flood victims.
She said a ministerial delegation led by Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement Douglas Mombeshora visited Chingwizi on Monday and assured villagers that they would get their compensation as soon as possible.
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Bongani Ndlovu