800 flood victims’ relocation hits snag

EFFORTS to relocate 800 Tsholotsho flood victims from Sipepa Holding Camp hang in the balance amid revelations that attempts to mobilise financial resources for the exercise were not successful.

According to the Department of Civil Protection in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Government only received $1 million from the Chinese government to assist all the flood victims countrywide.

Several districts were affected by the floods but Tsholotsho was hardest hit with over 800 people displaced from their homes.

“A relocation plan is in place inclusive of related infrastructure needs. Process is underway to start on water and sanitation provision as well as construction of a classroom block at one of the primary schools at the new site,” said DCP deputy director Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndlovu.

Mrs Ndlovu said resource constraints were a major hindrance to successful relocation of the families to newly identified land at Tshino and Sawudweni areas.

She said the time frame for relocation was also dependant on resource availability.

“Resource mobilisation efforts continue and time frame is dependent on resource availability,” she said.

Initially, the holding camp was a temporary three months shelter before the victims were moved to the news places.

According to the Tsholotsho District DCP about 164 stands were pegged at Tshino and 126 others were pegged at Sawudweni areas.

The initial plan was to assist each homestead with a toilet, granary, one hut and a three bedroomed house at a cost of $12 000 per homestead.

However, Government is now looking at completing makeshift toilets for the villagers to start relocating.

The plan now is to move the families from the transit camp with their tents to the new stands so that they assist in the construction of their homes.

There is also need for construction of a clinic and a school in the new area as well as extending the existing schools to cater for all the pupils.

Apart from the $1 million, the Chinese government also donated groceries worth $60 000.

Other donations were mackerel fish worth $1,2 million from Namibia, $20 000 from CBZ Bank to reconstruct one of the destroyed schools, tents, clothing, water purifiers and food from non-governmental organisations and well wishers.