Londile Moyo
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu [email protected]
FLOODING experienced over the weekend in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South Province, which caused infrastructure damage and disrupted traffic movement, has been attributed to breaches at Insindi Dam and Mtshabezi High School Dam.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) dismissed rumours that Mtshabezi Dam had breached and caused the flooding.
“The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) wishes to inform stakeholders and the public that Mtshabezi Dam, which is full and spilling, is structurally safe and has not breached, as has been inferred in some social media posts and audios.
“What has been confirmed to have breached is Mtshabezi High School Dam. Information to the effect that Mtshabezi Dam has breached should thus be disregarded. Members of the public are advised not to circulate such information, as it may cause unnecessary alarm,” reads the statement.
Matabeleland South Provincial Civil Protection Committee chairperson, Mr Zachariah Jusah, said investigations showed that flooding was mainly caused by a breach at Insindi Dam, located on a private farm in Gwanda, where the wall of the 5 000-megalitre dam collapsed.
The floods destroyed key infrastructure, including roads, bridges, footbridges and homesteads, and disrupted water supply to the mining town after a pumping station was flooded, damaging equipment.
The floods, which struck on Sunday morning, left the Mtshabezi River Bridge impassable, stranding many people. Although water levels subsided later in the day, debris, including trees, blocked the bridge.
Movement of vehicles and pedestrians resumed on Monday afternoon after the Gwanda District Civil Protection Committee engaged partners who used machinery to clear the debris from the bridge.
Online Reporter