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Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
THE District Development Fund (DDF) has started rehabilitating roads and bridges that were destroyed by heavy rains in Matabeleland South province after Government availed over $500 000 for the project.

DDF provincial coordinator for Matabeleland South, Mr Douglas Dube yesterday confirmed that they had started rehabilitating damaged roads and bridges.

“So far in terms of bridges, we have done Upper Nsezi Bridge in Umzingwane, as well as Lower Nkankezi, Wanezi and Insiza bridges in Filabusi which had cut off villagers from Nkankezi, Mbondo, Dekezi and Avoca. Villagers had been cut off from Filabusi Centre and the main Mbalabala-Masvingo highway. In Bulilima district we managed to reconstruct the Bulilima-Mananda Bridge which was damaged while still under construction,” said Mr Dube.

“In Gwanda we managed to work on Hwabai-Gqalaza Bridge in Winlock area in Gwanda North which is the most extensively damaged bridge in the district.

“Plans are underway to reconstruct Mtshelele-Gwandavale Bridge in the Matopos National Park and material has been procured for this project.”

Mr Dube said all roads in the district were being attended to so that all areas are accessible.

“We are grading and also doing bush clearing in all districts. So far we have opened culverts and cleared drainages in all districts. It’s now easy to work on sandy ground unlike when water was flowing,” said Mr Dube.

He also said they were also repairing machinery for use in the road works.

He said they were grateful to Government for providing over $500 000 to carry out the road works.

The road network in Matabeleland South runs for about 2 460 kilometres.

@richardmuponde