Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) has constructed two bridges in wards 17 and 18 in Matobo District, Matabeleland South.
Villagers from the two wards have been facing difficulties in accessing clinics and schools among other critical services during the rain season.
Gonde River Bridge in Ward 17 was completed in 2022 and RIDA went on to construct Mambome River Bridge in Ward 18, which was completed last month.
Mr Posselt Ncube, a villager from Gonde area in Ward 17 said during the rain season children could not go to school.
“We are happy that this bridge has been constructed as we were struggling during the rain season. People used to spend a day or two stuck on the other side of the bridge while waiting for the water to subside,” he said.
Mr Ncube said children would miss school for days during the rain season as they could not cross the flooded river.
Ms Ruth Dube who lives near the bridge said when the river was flooded, people were forced to spend days on the other side of the river.
She said school children used to spend days at her homestead after failing to cross the flooded river. Ms Dube said she always feared that some of the sick people would die under her care.
Mr Mbongeni Khumalo also from Gonde Village said most economic activities were disrupted during the rainy season as they could not cross the river.
“During the rainy season we were forced to suspend a lot of activities because there was no bridge. I sell different wares at the other side of the river so when it was flooded I could not cross,” he said.
In an interview during a visit to the two bridges RIDA Matabeleland South provincial coordinator, Mr Moment Malandu, said the construction of more bridges and maintainance of roads were underway.
“As RIDA we are mandated to construct and maintain roads and bridges. Here in Matobo we have constructed two bridges in Ward 17 and 18,” he said.
Mr Malandu said the construction of Gonde bridge was initiated by the community and RIDA came in to assist.
“The project started in 2019 and work was suspended following the outbreak of Covid-19. Work resumed in 2021 and was completed last year,” he said.
Mr Malandu said the community asked RIDA to construct Mamombe Bridge and work started last year and was completed last month.
Matobo Constituency legislator Cde Edgar Moyo said following the completion of the bridges, public transport in the area had greatly improved and people’s economic activities were no longer being disrupted by the rains as was the case in the past.
“In the past, especially during the rainy season, most transporters suspended operations as they could not cross flooded rivers,” said Cde Moyo.
Bongani Ndlovu