CHIVI Rural District Council requires at least $350 000 for the relocation and compensation of families around the massive Tokwe-Mukosi Dam in Masvingo province.
BY STAFF REPORTER
Acting district administrator Vafias Hlavati told hundreds of people gathered for a feedback meeting on Friday that non-governmental organisations and other development partners continue to be the bedrock on the provision of water and food aid to starving villagers.
“We have so far completed the identification of families within the Tokwe-Mukosi catchment area, valuation of their assets and currently a budget of $350 000 to be shared between Chivi and Masvingo will be required for the production of a local development plan. We have set in motion a process of now developing the plan,” Hlavati said.
Hundreds of families were affected by flooding around the dam a few years ago, with several others set to be relocated to pave way for the expansion of the dam’s catchment area.
The meeting, organised and funded by Chivi Rural District Council chairperson Killer Zivhu, brought together leading figures from the district to brainstorm on food and water shortages affecting villagers.
Hlavati told the gathering that dam construction continues in four wards, three small ones have been completed in three wards, one has been rehabilitated.
“We are in the process of rehabilitating another one. Our view is to reduce the distances that people walk to access water because at one time some of our people were walking up to 14 kilometres to find water.
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“We have drilled 124 boreholes with 85 of these funded by non-governmental organisations such as Care, World Vision and many others.
“Non-governmental organisations have also assisted with the rehabilitation of 110 of the 147 done so far,” Hlavati said.
Zivhu said it was important that the community continues to work towards developing the area, but said he would remain a local councillor in elections expected in 2018.
“Our hope is that more people will come to help the development of our district. I want to work with people and will remain a councillor in 2018. Those who want to go to Parliament can go, I have no interest in that. Let us work to give water to our people, make sure they have food on the table and children are kept in habitable schools,” Zivhu said.
Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Shuvai Mahofa warned under-performing councillors that they would be kicked out.
“If you are not performing we will kick you out and please do us a favour and ship out. Nobody should have a monopoly on a position. Rather evaluate yourself and stop wasting people’s time. Let us stop electioneering even when it is not necessary and focus on the issues that help our people.
“At times people who are willing to help hold back because they are threatened by politicians. Politicians suffocate people and deny them access to aid and help, this kind of behaviour must end,” she said.
Other delegates at the meeting included Psychomotor minister Josiah Hungwe, former Cabinet minister Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission acting chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Silence Pondo and Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment deputy minister Mathias Tongofa.
