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Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge
OVER 560 people in Beitbridge were left stranded after heavy rains pounded the area on Friday night.
Most of the flood victims had to sleep on rooftops after flash floods filled their houses up to waist level.
Vagrants who live along a stream in Dulibadzimu suburb were also not spared.
The residents said the water started flooding their houses at around 9pm.
No cases of deaths or injuries were reported but houses, a stadium, roads and sewer reticulation systems were damaged.
National Security Minister, Cde Kembo Mohadi, who is Beitbridge East MP, visited the victims yesterday morning to assess the damage and donate groceries.
“The situation is really bad and we sympathise with the affected families during their hour of need. We are working with the local Civil Protection Unit to provide them with alternative shelter and food.
“They lost household goods, groceries, clothes and money during floods,” he said.
The town secretary, Mr Loud Ramakgapola said, “The worst affected were businesses and residents close to Dulibadzimu bus terminus and council hostels.”
Acting Beitbridge CPU chairperson, Mrs Kiliboni Ndou said affected residents would be moved to Vhembe Secondary or Beitbridge Mission Primary schools until the situation normalises.
Beitbridge town council chairperson, Mrs Showa Moyo said the local authority is engaging businesses with warehouses to accommodate the victims’ household goods.
In January 2012, Beitbridge border post was closed for three hours after the new Limpopo Bridge which links the country with South Africa was submerged by floods.
Online Reporter