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The most affected parts of the district include Chikwalakwala, Tshitulipasi, Tshasvingo and Mawale villages.
“About 34 people were rescued by an Airforce of Zimbabwe helicopter at Mapo hillcrest in Chikwalakwala.
“Six others were airlifted from the same area yesterday (Monday) after they were marooned and were on rooftops. They have since been taken to a place of safety. The district received about 132, 2 mm of rain. All the homesteads in this low-lying area of Tshitulipasi, about 16 of them, were destroyed. Nineteen families were left homeless after all their homesteads were destroyed. The families had to seek refuge at Tshitulipasi Police Station and as we speak 40 people are still at the police station,” said Chief Supt Chinhengo.
He said six families were left homeless at Tshasvingo area. Chief Supt Chinhengo said a bridge in Ward Three in the same area was damaged.
Also destroyed was a bridge along Bubi River in Chikwalakwala. The bridge links the area with Chiredzi and Chikombedzi.
“The bridge was washed away and there is therefore no link between these places. A four-year-old girl from Tshitulipasi died after a hut she was in was destroyed by the storm.
“In Mawale Village near Beitbridge Town, a house collapsed and two children, a boy aged (9) and a girl (5) from the same family, were killed,” said Chief Supt Chinhengo.
“Limpopo River was flooded and the water level had risen above the new Limpopo Bridge. Our Parks and Wildlife camp was also destroyed and a total of 13 families and 11 parks employees including a police officer and his family were left stranded.
“Our major roads were badly damaged and some bridges were swept away. The rains were severe and persistent for more than 24 hours. However, at the moment the situation has normalised and water levels in rivers have gone down. We warn border jumpers to desist from crossing Limpopo River as they risk drowning,” he said.
Chief Supt Chinhengo said the other three adults drowned while trying to cross flooded rivers and streams in different places.
He said the police had conducted some flood warning campaigns in the district adding that those who heeded the warning had already gone to higher grounds.
Chief Supt Chinhengo said the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) intervened and distributed food hampers worth $1 600, which comprised mealie-meal, beans, cooking oil and matemba.
He said the CPU also managed to source 30 tents, which were given to affected families in Chikwalakwala and Tshitulipasi.
Chief Supt Chinhengo also said the MP for the area and also co-Minister of Home Affairs, Cde Kembo Mohadi and his wife, Senator Tambudzani Mohadi, also chipped in with 17 by 12,5 kgs and 3 by 50kgs of mealie-meal, 30 blankets, 20 pairs of shoes and an assortment of old clothes, vegetables, sugar, salt and cabbages.
Meanwhile, in Matabeleland North four people died in separate incidents as they tried to cross flooded rivers.
The officer in charge of crime and operations in Matabeleland North, Assistant Commissioner Musarashana Mabunda, confirmed the deaths.
“Yes we lost four lives as a province due to the rains. Today we got reports of two boys aged seven and nine, who drowned in Nkayi. They were found floating along Kana River. Another man aged 60 drowned at Sesemba River in Nkayi. A woman also drowned in Deka River five days ago,” said Asst Comm Mabunda.
Online Reporter