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Fungai Lupande Mash Central Bureau

Traditional leaders in Mt Darwin South will now be able to access most areas under their jurisdictions after their legislator gave them over 70 bicycles for use in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Most rural communities in the province are not accessible due to the bad state of the roads and the bicycles would ensure the communities are not left behind in Covid-19 awareness campaigns.

Member of Parliament for Mt Darwin South Cde Stephen Kabozo bought over 70 bicycles for chiefs, village heads and some leaders in the Zanu PF party structures.

After distributing 20 bicycles at Tsakari B Tabex shopping centre, Cde Kabozo said he was moving to other villages in the constituency with the same programme.

“The bicycles are a way of thanking the constituency for voting resoundingly for President Mnangagwa during the harmonised elections. However, this is also an opportune time to capacitate our village heads so that they can disseminate information on Covid-19,” he said.

“Matope A and B, Nyajenje, Urban A and B have already benefited from the bicycle programme. Due to fuel shortages, moving in communities is a challenge. Chief Kandeya and Ward 39 councillor Stanley Bhedhemu will also get a bicycle each.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Senator Monica Mavhunga, who was represented by the provincial development co-ordinator Mr Cosmas Chiringa at the handover ceremony said bicycles were an effective and efficient mode of transport in rural communities especially during this time of fuel shortages.

She said traditional leaders were critical in spreading awareness on Covid-19 and safeguarding communities against people who escaping from quarantine centres.

Mt Darwin is one of the districts where people have come forward with information, which has led to the identification of returnees who were in hiding.

“Recently nine returnees who came through illegal points into the province were found hiding in Centenary and Mt Darwin,” she said.

“This shows the level of collaboration between the provincial Covid-19 taskforce and traditional leaders. The bicycles will ensure that village heads are able to move in the villages disseminating information on Covid-19 and look out for people who are hiding from quarantine.

“Know the people in your village and where they came from. Continue to report people you suspect to be hiding.”