THE Civil Protection Committee in Beitbridge says it has activated its Disaster Rapid Response (DRR) teams following increased cases of infrastructure being damaged by incessant rains.
Classrooms at Malibeng and Jopembi primary schools in wards 9 and 4 respectively had their roofs blown off by strong winds recently.
Roads, bridges, offices, houses and billboards across the district have been damaged and the committee is on the ground assessing the extent of the damage.
One of the Gokwe bridges destroyed by the recent incessant rains
Some communities in rural areas have started repairing damaged school buildings using their own resources.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) Pension Fund complex which houses banks and several departmental stores had its roof blown off bystrong winds which also triggered a power blackout on Tuesday afternoon.
“I failed to access my bank today after its roof was blown off by strong winds on Tuesday. Authorities at the bank had to suspend business as the roof was being repaired”, said Mr Vho Ndou.
The District Civil Protection Committee chairperson, Mrs Sikhangezile Mafu who is also the District Development Coordinator said technical teams were on the ground assessing the damage.
“We received heavy rains accompanied by strong winds on Tuesday hence the damage to the infrastructure,” she said.
“At the Zesa complex banking and other services have been suspended to allow for the repair of the roof,” she said.
Mrs Mafu said her committee had intensified awareness campaigns in flood prone areas.
These include Shashe, Tshituripasi, Tshikwalakwala, Makakavhule, Tongwe, Umzingwane and Tshathapita.
Beitbridge East legislator, Cde Albert Nguluvhe said the rains had destroyed many properties across the district.
He said he was still assessing the damage before engaging relevant authorities for assistance.
“We need a detailed report on the damaged infrastructure so that we work out the resources required to carry out the repairs,” said Cde Nguluvhe.
He said people should report the damaged infrastructure to the district civil protection committee.
A manager at Elliot hotel in the border town Mr Alfred Zhou said the rains had damaged three rooms and two offices at the hotel.
“We are yet to quantify the extent of the damage but we have started repairing the damaged sections,” he said.
A customs clearing agent at the Elliot office park, said his offices had been extensively damaged.
He said equipment worth thousands of dollars was also destroyed. – The Chronicle
