adminMasvingo Correspondent
THERE is no respite for about 3,000 families at Chingwizi settlement in Mwenezi as the government dithers on their scheduled relocation. Their plight has been worsened by the onset of rains.
The families are waiting for a second relocation to farms identified by the government. They were each allocated 20-hectare pieces of land but despite promises they are yet to move. The families were evacuated to Chingwizi in Mwenezi’s Nuanetsi Ranch from Tokwe-Mukorsi flood basin at the height of raging floods early last year.
A majority of them lost property, livestock and crops. They are set to be moved from Chingwizi and be relocated on seven farms in Chiredzi and Mwenezi.
The identified farms include Mutirikwi catchment, Lundi farm, Umfulo, Javarirai, Magudu, Masangula, among others, which are close to Runde and Mutirikwi Rivers. Samuel Tsikisai, a village head, yesterday pleaded with the government to speed up their relocation.
“We all know that the government has no money despite the promise and it’s no one’s fault that the economy is slumping. It’s has started raining now and our already dire situation has been exacerbated as we can’t move when it’s raining,” he said.
Tsikisai said it is no longer wise for the government to go ahead with the second relocation because families will lose their property in the rains.
“If we’re to move to our plots now, our property will be soaked because it has since started to rain. The government should have started the relocation long back. We should be allowed to farm here and benefit from the rains,” he said.
Only $2 million has since been released for about 500 families and about 2,500 families are yet to get compensation. About $7 million is still needed to cater for the remaining flood victims.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Shuvai Mahofa, assured the affected families the government was prioritising moving the families. She said the relocation would go ahead as previously planned.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter