admin
Vincent Gono in Tsholotsho
A NUMBER of villagers who were relocated to Tshino in Tsholotsho are deserting the camp and returning to reconstruct their flood ruined homes as the tents they are living in are old and experiencing wear and tear.
Matabeleland North Provincial Minister Cde Richard Moyo confirmed in an interview with Sunday News that the villagers were going back to their homes where some were reconstructing what remained of their homes.
The reason, he said, was that the tents they were staying in were now old and were wearing off while some have become threadbare, thereby exposing the villagers and their families to the vagaries of harsh weather. He said they have been talking to partners such as Red Cross and others who have promised that they would provide the required tents.
“It is true that we are having a challenge of tents. The tents have become old and you know when they are old they tear off easily. As a result some of the villagers are resorting to going back to their original homes where they were evacuated after the Cyclone Dineo floods. Some have been complaining that the camp is far from their fields. The Government is left with 69 houses to complete the project where it is building houses for the flood victims and those that are moving back are part of the 69 whose houses are yet to be completed,” said Minister Moyo.
He said they were however, discouraging the villagers from moving as Government had not forgotten them.
“We are saying they should not move. They are not forgotten. We focused more on the serious problems posed by Cyclone Idai. Otherwise the Ministry of Local Government (Public Works and National Housing) is aware of their plight. I recently told Minister July Moyo (Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing) about the issue and he promised me that something was going to be done soon,” added the Provincial Minister Cde Moyo.
He added that they were also aware of the shortage of space at Tshino School where the number of pupils now far outnumbered the enrolment capacity. He said there was need for three or four blocks as well as an addition of toilets.
Tsholotsho Rural District Chairman Councillor Esau Siwela said they were discouraging the villagers from moving to their old homes as they risked being marooned once again in the event of floods as the villages were in harm’s way on the banks of Gwayi River. He pleaded with the villagers to be patient with the Government and understand the priority that Cyclone Idai called for from the Government in terms of resources.
“The argument of those that have returned to their old homes is that the tents were now torn and that the soils on the banks of Gwayi River are fertile and therefore good for cropping while others were saying they were far from their fields,” said Cllr Siwela.
He said it was therefore difficult to stop the villagers from moving back to their old homes despite the risk of being affected by floods. The villagers were affected by serious floods two years back, as they lived in a flood prone area prompting the Government to move them out of harm’s way after the intensity of Cyclone Dineo floods told a story of future loss of life and property. The more than 800 affected villagers were moved to higher ground in Tshino and Sawudweni.
Online Reporter