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Freedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau
The Midlands Provincial Civil Protection Unit (CPU) on Wednesday used helicopters from Thorn Hill Airbase to ferry foodstuffs and tents to about 350 families in Gokwe North, who were left stranded after floods ravaged the area last week, destroying homes and sweeping away livestock.

Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Owen Ncube accompanied the CPU provincial team and handed over the foodstuffs and tents to the affected families under Chief Chireya.
Classes at Mutimuri Primary in Gokwe North were suspended last week after the school structures were destroyed by the floods and Minister Ncube also donated tents sourced by the CPU to the school so that classes could resume.

Addressing affected families during the handover of foodstuffs and tents at Mutimuri Village, Minister Ncube said Government was mobilising more resources to assist them.
“We have been sent by President Mnangagwa to assess the extent of this disaster.

“We have brought you foodstuffs and some tents to provide temporary shelter, but as Government we are mobilising more resources so that you get assistance.
“We understand that Mutimuri Primary School was also affected and we have also brought some tents so that there can be some temporary shelter, while long term measures are being taken,” he said.

Minister Ncube said his office wrote to the Local Government Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo with the view of relocating the affected families.

He said some of the affected families resisted relocation after Government identified an alternative area for them.
“About 350 households have been affected. These families were advised to relocate to higher ground last year, but declined, we have since written to the relevant ministry, so that you can be relocated,” he said.

Chief Chireya said villagers lost livestock and property in the floods.
“It’s a disaster that we are faced with, people, especially those from Mutimuri Village were left counting their loses after their cattle, goats and chickens were swept away in the floods. I then raised an SOS and I am happy that Government has moved in to assist,” he said.

Chief Chireya said the only solution was to relocate all the families in Mutimuri Village to a higher ground.
“We are having this challenge every year and I think the only solution is to relocate these families.
“Some were reluctant to relocate, but now they have realised that the area is very dangerous and there was need to move to a safer place,” he said.