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Andile Tshuma, Chronicle Reporter

SEVENTY families in Tsholotsho who were displaced by the 2017 floods are yet to get adequate accommodation while Government is building their homes. 

The villagers whose old homes were on the banks of Gwayi River were moved to higher ground in Tshino and Sawudweni villages in ward six, Tsholotsho North.  Some of them are living in tents that have been tattered by the elements. In a telephone interview Tuesday, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Richard Moyo said about 70 families out of 319 families that were moved from low ground were yet to move into their new homes.

“Already, Government has successfully moved 250 families to their new homes in Sawudweni and Tshino villages in Tsholotsho. However, 70 houses are still under construction which means that these households are yet to move into their new homes,” said the minister.

He said those who were still living in tents were exposed to the elements as their tents were now torn. The Minister said he has since requested for funding from Government for the purchase of new tents while their houses were being completed.

He said Government was facing financial constraints but he pledged to ensure that the process of building the homes was speeded up so that the villagerswould not continue to bear wet weather in the open.

He said some villagers who benefited from the first batch of the houses continued to go to their old settlements for agricultural activities and said it was worrying that they spent nights there, risking being marooned in the event of heavy rains and flooding. 

“They love their old land so much as they say it is fertile and therefore good for agricultural purposes. However, I have advised them to go and till the land and tend to their crops but come back and sleep over on higher ground in their new settlements.  Some are not taking heed of this call. We need more community awareness programmes so that they understand the importance of listening to such advice, which could save lives in the event of flooding,” said the Minister. 

“We know that certain districts in our province are prone to flooding. As such we have implemented the necessary measures to ensure that when nature decides to take its course, we are prepared.  So far, we have had our sensitisation meetings, villagers have been sensitised about floods, particularly those from Tsholotsho district. They have had drills and know what to do when disaster strikes,” said Minister Moyo.

Villages that were hard hit during the 2017 flooding include Mahlosi, Mahlaba, Thamuhla, Mbamba, Mele, Lutshome, Maphili and Mbanyana.-@andile_tshuma.