Shangani River Bridge flooding along Harare Road first time in history, as floods sweep away Jeka-Chegato Bridge

HEAVY floods have swept away the Jeka-Chegato Bridge across the Mwenezi River in Mberengwa North District, a vital lifeline for the Mberengwa community, leaving thousands of people stranded and facing immense hardship.

The bridge, which connected Mberengwa West, North and South to the Matabeleland South Province, is crucial for the movement of people and goods.

This is not the first time the Jeka Bridge has fallen victim to floodwaters as it was previously destroyed by floods triggered by Cyclone Dineo eight years ago, which caused widespread damage across Zimbabwe, particularly in areas such as Mutare, Chiredzi, Mberengwa, and Beitbridge.

Following its destruction, the Government undertook temporary rehabilitation efforts in 2018, installing new planks and steel

reinforcements to restore accessibility to Mberengwa North District.
The floods have caused widespread destruction in Mberengwa District again, with 40 houses destroyed and villagers losing valuables and groceries.

Children are unable to attend school, transport has been halted while patients are struggling to access medical care.

“The district is being hit by incessant rains, which have badly damaged our roads and bridges across the district,” Mberengwa District Development Co-ordinator, Mr Vafios Hlabati, said.

“Communication is completely shattered, people cannot visit clinics or go to civil registry offices to acquire essential documents or burial orders in case of a funeral within the family.”
Mr Hlabati said the Government has swiftly moved in with food aid for the affected villagers as the floods rage on.

“The situation is dire, and we are doing our best to provide relief to those affected,” he said.
Mr Hlabati said the floods were still affecting homesteads and public infrastructure in the district and urged vigilance.

“We call upon our people to refrain from crossing flooded rivers and bridges. They should not seek shelter from under trees,” he advised the people.

Mberengwa Rural District Council (RDC) chief executive officer, Mr Thompson Maeresera, described the Jeka Bridge as a strategic asset for the district.

“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 and learning of its demise has brought about sorrow and distress to us who appreciate its value,” he said.

Mr Maeresera said the bridge’s significance extends beyond mere connectivity, as it holds the key to unlocking Mberengwa’s economic potential and improving the lives of its residents.

Villagers have also called for urgent assistance to restore the bridge and repair the damaged infrastructure as soon as the rains and flooding stops.

Meanwhile, traffic was disrupted for nearly an hour at the Shangani Bridge along Gweru-Bulawayo Highway on Sunday afternoon following the flooding of the bridge.

Gweru District Development Coordinator, Mr Tarisai Mudadigwa, confirmed that for the first time in history, Shangani Bridge flooded.

He said the area, which boarders with Midlands Province recorded over 170ml in nine hours

“Traffic was interrupted for about an hour as especially small vehicles going from Shangani failed to cross the flooded river. Traffic movement resumed after the floods receded after about an hour,” he said.