Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday News Reporter
BULILIMA District in Matabeleland South Province has suffered significant losses in property damage following weeks of relentless rainfall that has forced the once adamant villagers in flood-prone areas to consider relocation according to reports from the Bulilima Civil Protection Unit (CPU).
The heavy rains received in recent weeks have left a trail of destruction affecting over 10 homesteads and damaging one school.
The homesteads are in Huwana Ward 8 while the school, Kandana Primary School is in Gwambe Ward 2.
Bulilima District Development Co-ordinator Mr Onesimo Zogara said the report comes from part of the assessment made in the district.
“In recent weeks, the district received heavy rains that damaged infrastructure in the Huwana ward where there was a downpour throughout the night. As such, there was a back-flow inland in Ntambana Village from the confluence of Huwana and Manzamnyama rivers.
“All the 11 homesteads that are less than 150 metres from the Manzamnyama River bank were affected by the water back-flow but five of them were seriously affected as their property was heavily drenched in water. The water level was above knee level and it subsequently subsided. The incidents were reported to our office and we managed to visit the homesteads as a District Assessment Team, comprising the DDC’s office, Department of Social Development, Bulilima Rural District Council, Public Works Department and Hand-In-Hand,” said Mr Zogara.
He said the affected homesteads were at one time advised to relocate from the place but they refused.
“Of concern is that these are the same homesteads that were affected by Cyclone Dineo in 2016 and refused to relocate but fortunately they are all now reconsidering relocation as the only alternative. They all believe the process can even be expedited if they can get some material support,” he said.
Mr Zogara added that the recent trail of destruction was preceded by a storm that blew off the roofs of homesteads in Bhilingoma Village in Matjinge Ward.
“The roof of a one-roomed house was blown off and the back wall was destroyed. Another three-roomed house had its roof blown off as well. The family is left with only one room that was not blown off but with cracks on its walls,” he said.
Mr Zogara said Kandana Primary School had its roofs blown away by winds and rains.
“At Kandana Primary School three blocks’ roofs were blown away by strong winds that were accompanied by heavy rains. The blown-away classrooms belong to the SAGE class, Grade 1 and Grade 2. From the school’s five blocks, two asbestos-roofed and one zinc sheets-roofed blocks were blown away. The trusses of the blown blocks are now weak as they are termites infested and as such, there is a need for a complete overhaul of the roof to build back better.
“The school has a total enrolment of 239 learners (113 males and 129 females) and an establishment of seven teachers. The total number of learners that have been affected by the damage is 65 (41 males and 14 females). As part of interventions, the community has held meetings at the school to draw a Bill of Quantities for the damaged blocks and also mobilise resources. The community is busy soliciting resources for the roof repairs,” said Mr Zogara. -@mthabisi_mthire
