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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
CHINGWIZI villagers have accused the government of “dithering” over their relocation to an area with more arable land.
About 3,000 families were repatriated from the Tokwe-Mukorsi flood basin and settled at Chingwizi in the Nuanetsi Ranch in Mwenezi District in March 2013.
The government promised to relocate them to permanent plots but two years on, they are still at the temporary camp.
A village head, Samuel Tsikisai said:
“We’re now restless because we can no longer understand what the government is up to. We don’t know the fate of the 3,000 families settled in Chingwizi right now. Unless we’re taken to the right place, our plight will worsen by each passing day,” he said.
He said the Chingwizi settlement was not suitable for human habitation as there were no social amenities save for health facilities.
“The situation here is dire and things aren’t looking any good. We were told that our sites have been pegged and we would be relocated soon. However, it’s now almost three months since government officials visited us, promising to move us to a better place. No one cares about our welfare and we no longer trust anyone in this matter. We should be told the truth. If there is no means to move us, let the government tell us. We all agreed that life’s not good here, the area is not ideal for farming as it’s dry,” he said.
Getrude Makore said:
“We had packed our property ready to go to Mutirikwi farm but we’re now thinking of unpacking. It seems the relocation is just cheap talk by our leaders. We hope Minister of State for provincial affairs, Cde Shuvai Mahofa, will address our plight urgently as she promised. We no longer want to be here.”
Cde Mahofa, in response, assured the displaced villagers that the government is seized with the issue.
“We’re not turning a blind eye to the Chingwizi situation. Things might not be moving as fast as everyone wants but we’re doing something. Very soon, everyone at Chingwizi will be moved to his or her designated five hectare plot. Pegging has been completed now and peg numbers are ready,” said Cde Mahofa.
She said a local biofuels investor has also offered to assist in the transportation of the people and their property and drilling of boreholes at their new homes.
“Billy Rautenbach, a biofuels investor has offered to assist and as I speak everything is in place. By next week or so people will be moved. By the beginning of the farming season, everyone will be on his plot, leading a normal life,” she said.
Cde Mahofa said the government has engaged a Chinese engineering company to grade 6,000 hectares of land in Masangula area in Chiredzi for the purposes of relocating the affected families. The 6,000 ha is an addition to the already identified seven farms for the relocation programme.
Online Reporter