By Moses Mugugunyeki in Chipinge
ONE hundred and fifty-eight Zimbabwe ans were buried in Mozambique in the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Idai about three weeks ago, amid indications that more than 500 people could have died in Manicaland province.
Chipinge district administrator William Mashava said the death toll could be more than the official figure of 344.
Mashava said chances of finding the missing people alive were slim.
“The district [Chipinge] was not affected as much as Chimanimani,” he said.
“We had several homes, schools and other infrastructure destroyed by Cyclone Idai and we had to go for two weeks without water in Chipinge town after the pipes were destroyed.” Mashava said 1 980 homes were destroyed, leaving several families homeless.
“There is a likelihood that the number of deaths could be around 500 after reports indicate that in Mozambique, there were 158 bodies of foreigners buried there,” he said. The DA said infrastructure at a number of irrigation schemes was destroyed.
Zimbabwe Red Cross Society humanitarian ambassador Alick Macheso said he was forced to postpone a show in Chipinge.
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“I had to postpone my show here in Chipinge to allow people to mourn their departed loved ones. I am here to join hands with you as we try to heal the emotional wounds of the cyclone,” he said.
Macheso was a major attraction at yesterday’s relief aid distribution facilitated by Red Cross at Kondo Clinic in Chipinge’s ward 16.
Councillor for the area, Rephias Sithole Mapahla, said apart from foodstuffs, they were appealing for assistance in the form of building material.
“Many homes, toilets and fields were destroyed in the area. We are appealing for help to rebuild infrastructure, especially toilets because we fear an outbreak of waterborne diseases,” Mapahla said.
The councillor said more than 1 200 toilets were destroyed, while 287 homes were destroyed in his ward.
