Masvingo’s flood nightmare

SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO.

Following a devastating flooding that hit the city last week, Masvingo City Council is seeking about US$300,000 to relocate a number of flood-affected families to a designated piece of land in the Runyararo North West area. it has been learnt.

The development was confirmed by the city’s Director of Housing and Social Services,….. Mandishona.

He told Business Times: “We need a budget of about US$300,000 in order to construct 10 houses for the critically affected families.

“Our major problem is that we are apparently facing some financial challenges. We hope to get help from the central government in our effort to make sure that we relocate these people to an area that is in Runyararo North West.”

“We have already identified those who have been critically affected and we had a meeting with the Secretary for Masvingo Province and Devolution, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa. We deliberated on the modalities to be considered before allocating these people their respective residential stands.”

The Mayor of Masvingo, ……. weighed in saying the city council is committed to fixing the drainage system in affected areas.

“We are working to prevent this from happening again. Our priority is to protect the community and ensure our drainage system can withstand future downpours,” …. said.

Ephraim Mutombeni, the Director of the Masvingo Centre for Research Advocacy and Development (MACRAD), a civic organization advocating for development, stated that urgent action was required.

“We cannot afford to delay. These families are in a precarious situation, and the authorities need to act quickly. This has always been happening without action from the authorities,” Mtombeni said.