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Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
Villagers in Chiredzi South have challenged Government to fulfil its promise to construct an all-weather bridge across Runde River to make it easier for them to travel to and from the district’s commercial capital of Chiredzi during the rainy season.
The call comes in the wake of the submerging of the low-lying Chilonga Bridge by the flooded Runde River last week, cutting off villagers in Chiredzi South from Chiredzi town.

There are also strong fears that Chilonga Bridge might have been extensively damaged after being washed away by floods.
Chiredzi District Civil Protection Unit chair Mr Lovemore Chisema said they suspect that Chilonga Bridge might have been damaged by debris.

“We have noted from a distance that the central section of Chilonga Bridge has been damaged this rainy season,” he said.
“The river has been carrying huge logs and trees which we suspect could have caused this unfortunate incident. No wonder why we always discourage the use of homemade boats to cross such a wide river, the debris carried might hit the boats leading to disastrous consequences.”

Chiredzi South Member of Parliament Brigadier-General Callisto Gwanetsa (Retired) said Government must speedily construct a standard bridge across Runde.

“We have waited for the construction of a standard bridge across Runde because Chilonga Bridge is prone to flooding. During every rainy season the bridge is submerged for over four months thereby forcing villagers to travel over 250km to Chiredzi Town, which is just 23km from Chilonga,” he said.

Rtd Brig-Gen Gwanetsa said the recent submerging and subsequent damage of Chilonga Bridge has made Chiredzi South a virtual “island” after the area was cut off from the rest of the country.

He said other alternative bridges were yet to be repaired after being damaged by Cyclone Eline nearly 20 years ago.
“Chiredzi South is now an island. The washing away of Chilonga Bridge leaves Chiredzi South virtually cut off from the rest of the country.

“The other bridges at Chipinda and Bubi were washed away in 2000 and have not been repaired. I am appealing to Government to repair the damaged bridges urgently and make life easier for people in Chiredzi South,” said Rtd Brig-Gen Gwanetsa.

Chilonga Bridge served as the gateway to Sango Border Post and the southern part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park which links Sengwe communal lands and Chiredzi Town.

Villagers in areas such as Chikombedzi in Chiredzi South said Government should expeditiously rebuild Chilonga Bridge to enable them to transport their grain to the market in Chiredzi Town following a bumper harvest in the current farming season.