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The Tokwe-Mukosi Dam wall, which is still under construction, will not collapse, a Zimbabwe National Water Authority official has said.
Zinwa’s Tokwe-Mukosi projects manager Engineer Taurai Maurukira said this in a briefing to Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga and Namibian Army Group Captain Abed Hihepa at the dam site in Masvingo province yesterday.
Namibia deployed nine military officers and two helicopters to help in evacuation of flood victims. Gen Chiwenga presented them with medals for their bravery during successful joint rescue missions of 500 marooned people. Eng Maurukira said the dam wall design was premised on similar ones in other countries. “The structure is strong and will never collapse,” he said. “The dam wall is structurally safe and we are using the latest technology to build it.” When complete, Tokwe-Mukosi will be the country’s largest inland water body with capacity of 1,8 billion cubic litres of water. The dam wall will be 89m high.
Eng Maurukira said there was no imminent danger to people downstream.
He said 2 600ha of land upstream was covered by water following weeks of heavy rains.
Gen Chiwenga, Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri and senior Government officials toured affected areas.
Gen Chiwenga said the ZDF would continue helping in relocations and commended the Namibian government and President Hefikupunye Pohamba and his Swapo Party for coming to Zimbabwe’s aid. Meanwhile, the Chinese community in Zimbabwe yesterday donated goods worth over US$40 000 to flood victims.
The goods include 20 tonnes of maize meal, 500 blankets, first aid kits and cooking oil and were handed over by China’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Lin Lin, to Defence Minister Dr Sydney Sekeramayi. Dr Sekeramayi said, “(The donation) came at a timely moment, responding as it does to the declaration by the President that this is a national disaster.
Online Reporter