Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
Government is mobilising resources for the rehabilitation of the Jeka-Chegato Bridge across the Mwenezi River in Mberengwa North District, which has become a hazard for motorists and villagers, who rely on it.
The bridge was destroyed by floods triggered by Cyclone Dineo seven years ago. Widespread flooding affected Zimbabwe, with areas such as Mutare, Chiredzi, Mberengwa and Beitbridge being hard-hit.
At least 280 people lost their lives in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana and South Africa as a result of the cyclone and infrastructure damage, including homes and bridges, exceeded US$200 million.
Following the destruction, the Government in 2018 undertook temporary rehabilitation efforts by installing new planks and steel reinforcements to restore accessibility to Mberengwa North District.
However, the planks and some of the steel structures are now old, thereby, placing motorists and villagers at serious risk of falling into the river when crossing.
The Jeka-Chegato Bridge is more than just infrastructure, it is a lifeline for the people of Mberengwa, connecting them to clinics, schools and markets.
When the bridge was destroyed by cyclone-induced floods in February 2017, villagers were forced to use a lengthy detour via Gwanda in Matabeleland South.
Reports indicated that pupils were unable to attend school while other villagers and patients struggled to access Mnene District Hospital, as the district had effectively been cut off from the rest of the country.
Pupils and patients are using a makeshift ladder precariously balanced on the remnants of the bridge to cross the river, to get to school and hospital.
In an interview yesterday, Mberengwa District Development Co-ordinator, Mr Vafios Hlabati, said the Government is aware of the urgent need to rehabilitate the Jeka-Chegato Bridge.
“Regarding the Jeka Bridge issue, the Ministry of Transport is working on it. Sandawana Mine has also chipped in with the procurement of some of the required materials. Ministry officials will be visiting the bridge tomorrow,” he said.
Mberengwa Rural District Council (RDC) chief executive officer, Mr Thompson Maeresera, said the Jeka Bridge is vital for the movement of people across Mberengwa West, North and South, as well as the Matabeleland South Province.
“The bridge serves the entire Mberengwa area and connects it to Matabeleland South Province, making it a strategic bridge. This bridge is crucial for investment and growth of Mberengwa’s local economy,” he said.
