ZBE clears land to pave way for Tokwe-Murkosi dam

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The land being cleared by ZBE is part of the 68 000 hectares of land donated to government by the Development Trust of Zimbabwe to resettle over 3 000 families from Gororo communal lands in Chivi who will be moved to pave way for the giant Tokwe-Murkosi dam.

The dam is due for completion by November this year and more than 500 families have to be moved to allow the construction of five saddle dams while the remaining families should be moved after completion of the dam.

Masvingo provincial administrator Mr Felix Chikovo yesterday allayed fears that delays in resettling the over 500 families from Tokwe-Murkosidam would delay the dam’s completion.

Mr Chikovo said clearing of nearly 20 000 hectares of land by ZBE was already under way at Nuanetsi ranch after pegging of plots was done by Ministry of Lands officials at the site.

“ZBE has already started clearing of land at Nuanetsi ranch where we will settle over 500 families that should be moved to allow the smooth completion of five saddle dams in Chivi and we are quite optimistic that the families should be moved as soon as clearing of the land is completed. We are also happy with progress at the dam (Tokwe-Murkosi) which is going according to plan,” he said.

Mr Chikovo added that construction of four of the five saddle dams had already been completed at Tokwe-Murkosi dam with the last saddle dam due for completion soon.

The Masvingo provincial administrator said recent rains that pounded southern parts of Masvingo precipitating floods had hampered progress in land clearing at Nuanetsi ranch adding that the lull in rainfall activity would allow work to progress.