Flood victims appeal for outstanding compensation

DISPLACED families staying at Chingwizi are appealing to Government to speedily pay their outstanding compensation to enable them to rebuild their lives, four years after they were relocated from their original homes in the flooded Tokwe-Mukosi basin in Chivi.

The call comes amid reports that Government has so far paid them on average 20 percent of their total compensation.

Government has repeatedly assured the families that they will be paid their dues once funds are available.

Speaking during a constituency development meeting held in the Bungu area in Mwenezi East over the weekend, the families expressed concern over delays in compensating them.

War Veterans Association’s vice chairman for Tokwe district Cde Felix Muteyiwa said Chingwizi villagers were battling to recover as they were yet to receive full compensation.

“We call upon the new administration led by President Mnangagwa to address the issue of the flood victims’ compensation as a matter of urgency,” said Cde Muteyiwa.

He said it was difficult for the flood victims to make concrete future plans without a clear indication of when they would be fully compensated.

“We were only given 20 percent of our total compensation and the money is not even enough to build new houses for our families. We cannot even start small income generating projects to sustain ourselves because the money is not enough.

“As things stand we are pinning our hopes on the new administration to facilitate payment of our compensation, our lives have never been the same again after we lost property during the floods in Chivi,’ ’said Cde Muteyiwa.

Ms Enia Gwamuri of Chikoko Section said most flood victims were failing to start projects at Chingwizi because they had no capacity.

She appealed to President Mnangagwa and his Government to assist the Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims, most of whom were now virtual paupers.

Mwenezi East National Assembly member Cde Joosbi Omar said Government has so far paid the flood victims $1,5 million.

He said the families were still owed $6 million. Cde Omar paid tribute to the late national heroine and former Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Shuvai Mahofa for working tirelessly to ensure that they got the initial payment.

“We expect Government to avail additional funds to pay the flood victims in the near future and I am happy that the new Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Josaya Hungwe has already given positive signals about Government’s commitment to fully compensate the Chingwizi families,’’ said Cde Omar.

Cde Omar said he has since initiated a detergent manufacturing project to raise income for the families at Chingwizi while Government was also giving each family 50kg of maize monthly.

The meeting was attended by flood victims from Nyuni, Chikokoko, Mucheni, Masangula, Petronela,Tokwe and Batanai sections all under Chingwizi.