Flooding in Tsholotsho was caused by the spilling of Gariya Dam and overflowing rivers of Gwayi and Zumbani
WASHINGTON —
A recently formed cabinet committee comprising more than eleven government ministries tasked with addressing the flood situation in the country toured Tsholotsho in Matabeleland North on Wednesday to assess the damage.
The committee assisted affected families with food and clothing.
The delegation, which was led by Senior Minister of State Simon Khaya-Moyo, comprised of Minister of Local Government, Ignatious Chombo and his information and transport counterparts Jonathan Moyo, and Obert Mpofu.
Others in the committee are ministers of Defence, Agriculture, Education, Health, Home Affairs, Water, and Mines - Sydney Sekeramai, Joseph Made, Lazarus Dokora, David Parirenyatwa, Kembo Mohadi, Savior Kasukuwere, and Walter Chidakwa respectively.
Some were part of the delegation.
Flooding in Tsholotsho was caused by the spilling of Gariya dam and overflowing rivers of Gwayi and Zumbani. A government minister confirmed to Studio 7 the incident claimed one life in the area.
Affected areas include Butabubili, Gariya, Dzokotsi, Mtshina, Sandawana, Sasedza, Kalave, Mahlaba, Mapili, Mahlosi, Mbanyana, Matupula, Mbamba and Jimila. Jimila is dominated by the Saan community.
Opposition parties and civic organizations in Matabeleland recently highlighted that areas affected by floods in the region were neglected by the government in favor of Masvingo where thousands of families were left homeless after the Tohwe-Murkosi dam in the area spilled and left thousands of people homeless.
But minister Mpofu tells reporter Sithandekile Mhlanga the cabinet committee is systematically visiting all affected areas in the country, and villagers in Tsholotsho welcomed the government assistance.
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Interview with Obert Mpofu
Tsholotsho North Member of Parliament, Roslyn Sipepa, who won her seat against Information Minister Jonathan Moyo in the last parliamentary elections, said she was not invited by the committee, although she was instrumental in addressing the floods issue in Tsholotsho.
Sipepa said she could have highlighted important issues to the highly-powered ministerial delegation.
