NEW: Chipinge dam breach: Seven victims laid to rest

Ray Bande in Mutare

All the seven people who died following the Chipinge farm dam breach have been laid to rest after the other two missing bodies were finally located, District Development Coordinator for the area, Mr William Mashava has said.

Mr Mashava said: “The search was not easy given the rains that were being received in the area. However, we finally recovered the bodies.

“All the bodies have now been laid to rest. We are very thankful to all the parties that worked tirelessly to ensure that the bodies were successfully retrieved,” said Mr Mashava.

Mr Mashava said modalities to move the people who are living downstream of the other dams that are showing signs of weakness are being worked out.

“We are taking heed of the proposal for the need to move people living downstream of the other dams that are showing signs of getting weaker to higher ground in order to avert possible disaster in the event of another dam breach. The modalities are still being worked out,” said Mr Mashava.

The victims are Agnes Muchadeyi (4), Blessing Maone (10), Tapiwa Mtisi (13), Forgiveness Maphosa (10), Zembilo Dube (4), Grace Mlambo (8) and Julias Mlambo (4).