malvernmugadzikwa
Sunday Mail Reporter
FORTY-THREE Budiriro families that were displaced by floods are set to move into the newly constructed high-rise residential flats in Dzivaresekwa by the end of this month.
The families’ properties were built on undesignated land that is prone to flooding.
In the current rainy season, 59 Budiriro 5B Extension residents were moved to a temporary evacuation centre after their homes were engulfed by water from the adjacent Marimba River when it broke its banks following a heavy downpour.
National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe told The Sunday Mail that the two blocks of flats earmarked for the Budiriro flood victims are complete in terms of the structures and internal works.
“The outstanding works, which are currently ongoing, are the external sewer connections, which are expected to be completed by the end of January 2024,” he said.
Forty-three families will be accommodated once their blocks of flats are ready for occupation.
Other flood victims from areas such as “Kuwadzana paddocks” will also be considered. Forty-three families are going to be accommodated in the flats.
“Due to climate change, settlements inadequately planned and developed are now more susceptible to natural calamities such as floods,” he said.
“The Zimbabwe National Human Settlement Policy forbids the building of homes and other public facilities on wetlands.
“Reclamation of the same will be implemented and accommodation of the affected beneficiaries will depend on the availability of alternative secure and affordable housing.”
Recently, Minister Garwe, Local Government and Public Works Minister Winston Chitando and Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Charles Tavengwa toured the areas affected by floods in Budiriro.
Bongani Ndlovu