Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
THERE are considerations for traditional leaders to be empowered to fine community members who disregard warnings against crossing or attempting to cross flooded rivers, as the death toll due to hydro-meteorological hazards continues to rise.
Since the start of the 2025/26 rainfall season sometime in October last year, the Department of Civil Protection Unit reports that 79 people have lost their lives, 61 have sustained various degrees of injuries with 1 068 households either damaged or destroyed.
In an interview today (Wednesday), Chief Director in the Department Mr Nathan Nkomo said consultations and engagements with principals are ongoing so that in future, traditional leaders have the power to sanction any individual within their jurisdiction seen disregarding warnings from authorities.
“It is rather unfortunate that we have people who continue to disregard danger warnings from authorities and as such we are in consultations with our principals with a view of having our traditional leaders empowered to fine anyone in their jurisdiction who does not take heed of these warnings. We cannot afford to be losing precious lives in a way that can be clearly avoided,” said Mr Nkomo.
He called on various agencies not to tire in giving out warnings to the public, more so as the rains continue pouring.
He said all emergency agencies are on high alert to attend to any distress call.
