Chivi families left

FORTY families from Chivi District were left homeless when strong winds destroyed their homesteads last week, an official has said.

Four people reportedly sustained injuries.

Masvingo’s Civil Protection provincial chairperson Mr Fungai Mbetsa said the incident occurred on Sunday last week at around 9pm.

He said the injured were rushed to Chivi District Hospital where they were treated and discharged.

However, a villager who was seriously injured was later transferred to Masvingo General Hospital.

Most of the injured, Mr Mbetsa said, were hit by roofing sheets that gave in during the heavy winds, which lasted for close to 20 minutes.

“I have received a report of strong winds that destroyed homesteads belonging to 40 families in Chivi’s Ward 18 area near the toll gate — 60 kilometres along Masvingo-Beitbridge Road.

“Four people were injured, one seriously, when they were hit by falling roofing sheets,” he said.

The strong winds also destroyed an administration block at a nearby school.

“Gwitima Primary School, nearby, was also affected as the roof to the administration block was blown off.”

The local Civil Protection Unit has managed to provide food and nonfood items to the affected families.

“As the CPU, we have provided 50 kg of maize grain per each family and other non-food items such as clothes, soap, among other donations. We now appeal to non-Governmental organisations to assist the affected families with shelter.

“We have four families whose homesteads were completely razed and those are the ones in need of shelter, and the NGOs may come in handy and provide temporary shelter in the form of tents. Presently, some families have sought refuge at relatives’ homesteads,” he said.

Mr Mbetsa, who is also the provincial administrator, hailed the