Govt disburses $1,5m for Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims

THE Government has released $1,5 million to compensate families who were resettled at Chingwizi in Mwenezi District after they were displaced by Tokwe-Mukosi floods in 2014, an official has said.

About 3 000 families were evacuated from TokweMukosi flood basin at the height of raging floods in 2014, which destroyed homes, livestock and crops. Some of the families received compensation amounting to more than $3 million leaving an outstanding balance of $7 million.

Out of 3 000 at least 1 900 families were still to receive their dues due to economic challenges. Masvingo provincial administrator Mr Fungai Mbetsa said his office has received the money and disbursement was now in progress. He said those villagers with bank accounts were expected to have received their money by Friday.

“I can confirm that the Government has disbursed money to the tune of $1,5 million to compensate 1 995 Chingwizi villagers affected by the Tokwe-Mukosi floods in 2014. The money constitutes 20 percent of the $7,3 million that is outstanding,” said Mr Mbetsa.

He said the money was being disbursed proportionally to all beneficiaries and through their bank accounts.

“We are depositing the money into their bank accounts and we hope that by Friday (last week) they would have received it. The villagers will get a proportional fraction each and the process is underway as we speak,” he said.

Mwenezi East representative in the National Assembly Cde Joosbi Omar hailed the Government for assisting the villagers saying this will alleviate some of the challenges the people were facing.

“Chingwizi is within my constituency and I am happy that Government has compensated the villagers. It shows President Robert Mugabe has his people at heart. I share the same excitement with the villagers. I am also committed to keep on assisting them in the best way possible,” said Cde Omar.