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George Maponga at NUANETSI RANCH, Mwenezi
The successful evacuation of nearly 3 000 families from the Tokwe-Mukosi flood basin and their subsequent relocation to permanent plots at the Nuanetsi Ranch in Mwenezi is an affirmation of Zimbabwe’s high preparedness for disasters, a top army official has said. Zimbabwe National Army commander Lieutenant General Philip Valerio Sibanda yesterday said Zimbabwe deserved praise for successfully handling the Tokwe-Mukosi disaster without any loss of life.

Speaking after touring permanent plots for Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims at Nuanetsi ranch, where the ZNA is building a clinic, Lt Gen Sibanda expressed satisfaction with the pace at which Government and its partners were establishing infrastructure such as roads and schools in the area.

“I think in terms of disaster preparedness we are fairly organised, the fact that there was no loss of life from the time flooding started in the Tokwe-Mukosi basin throughout the relocation of families until they were at the permanent plots shows that organisational structures are in place to handle disasters,’’ he said.

Lt Gen Sibanda said he was impressed with work being done to ensure that families moved to permanent plots live normal lives. “From the presentations that we have received here, I think the concept is very clear,” he said.

“We are satisfied with what is being done in terms of building roads, clinics, schools and other infrastructure. All the Government departments working on the ground seem to have a plan on what needs to be done to improve the living standards of families here.’’
Lt Gen Sibanda said the army was not involved in any other operation at Nuanetsi apart from building the clinic.

He dismissed as mischievous reports that the army had been deployed to Chingwizi camp a few weeks ago to quell riots by camp dwellers.
“The role of the army is to ensure peace even in this area (Nuanetsi Ranch), but we never deployed here save for coming here to build a clinic as part of our assistance to families at Chingwizi,” he said.

Families at Nuanetsi rely on a temporary clinic that was built by Cesvi, an Italian non-governmental organisation.