Staff Writer
MASVINGO – Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Dr Takavafira Zhou has urgently called on government to declare Mberengwa a state of disaster, describing the district as cut off and crumbling after weeks of relentless rains exacerbated by Cyclone Gezani.
Dr Zhou, who visits his birthplace monthly, described his latest trip (7-8 March) as a “nightmare” that laid bare the scale of destruction.
What should have been a routine journey became an ordeal: navigating the Yorks-Chomukoto Road only to find it had vanished after Chamawanga; spending over seven hours stranded at the flooded Chimwe river alongside dozens of other motorists; getting stuck in mud at 8pm and labouring until 3.30am to free the vehicle; walking 4km in the dark just to find shelter; and finally taking 10 hours to complete a journey that normally takes two and a half hours.
“I only wish Vice President Chiwenga, who recently visited Mberengwa, had used our roads instead of landing by helicopter at Sandawana,” Dr Zhou said. “Then he would have seen the devastation firsthand.”
Widespread Destruction
The district’s road network has been extensively damaged, with low-lying bridges destroyed and roads turned into rivers and gullies. Heavy lithium trucks have worsened the damage, eroding roads and demolishing bridges.
The Magacha bridge is destroyed. The Yorks-Chomukoto road is impassable after Chamawanga. Chimwe river has been in flood since 1 March, cutting off chief Mposi’s and chief Mapiravana’s areas. The Jeka Bridge—a problem since Cyclone Dineo in 2017—remains a death trap.
“Using public or private transport in Mberengua is now difficult,” Dr Zhou said. “People are cut off from health centres like Mnene, Masase and Chegato, from schools, and from shops. One would need a helicopter to commute—something our people cannot afford.”
Schools including Gwayi, Mahindi, Makuwere and Munyikwa have been damaged. Rivers now flow through homesteads.
Food Crisis and Cattle Disease
Crops have failed after a cruel season: incessant rains at planting, followed by scorching heat, then cyclone-induced downpours that leached the fields.
Meanwhile, January disease has devastated cattle herds—the “African bank” for rural families. Dipping has long ceased in many areas due to government failure to supply chemicals.
“We are poor in a district rich with lithium, gold, chrome, platinum and more,” Dr Zhou said. “The benefits of mining have been centralised, while local communities get destruction, pollution and underdevelopment.”
Call to Action
Citing the Civil Protection Act, Dr Zhou urged President Mnangagwa to declare a state of disaster immediately.
“Mberengwa deserves urgent assistance and rehabilitation. The time is now. And mining companies that have profited from our minerals must play their part in rescuing our people.”
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