Flooded Runde cuts off Chikombedzi from Chiredzi 

George Maponga-Masvingo Bureau

Thousands of villagers in Chikombedzi, Chiredzi South District, have been virtually cut off from Chiredzi Town after Runde River floods submerged a low-level bridge at Chilonga.

This has made it difficult for people to travel from Chikombedzi to Chiredzi Town either for medical attention or business.

Runde River bisects Chiredzi District separating the greater Chikombedzi area from Chiredzi Town which is the district capital.

Currently, Chilonga low-level bridge is the only shortest route to travel to and from Chikombedzi.

The other shorter route was Chipinda Pools Bridge in the Gonarezhou National Park, but it has not been repaired after being damaged by Cyclone Eline floods in the year 2000.

Travellers from Chikombedzi have to use the Mupapa Bridge in Mwenezi to connect to Chiredzi Town or go via Rutenga Growth Point using the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway which makes the journey long and expensive.

There are now fears that desperate travellers might resort to makeshift homemade boats and canoes to cross the flooded Runde River at Chilonga Bridge risking drowning in the crocodile-infested river.

Chiredzi District Development Coordinator Mr Lovemore Chisema said the floods were a challenge for people in Chikombedzi to access Chiredzi Town.

“I can confirm that at the moment we have a situation where Runde River cannot be crossed via Chilonga Bridge because the structure is submerged under water as the river is flooded and we appeal for an all-weather bridge to be speedily constructed and make it easy for communities in places such as Chikombedzi and Majijimba to access Chiredzi Town,” said Mr Chisema.

Every year during the rainy season several people drown while trying to cross the flooded Runde River via Chilonga low-level bridge forcing the Civil Protection Committee in the area to sometimes block the road connecting Chilonga and Chiredzi Town.

Mr Chisema said plans to build an all-weather bridge at Chilonga continued to gain traction with the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa having prioritised the project in funding allocation.

“We remain hopeful that a high-rise new bridge will be built at Chilonga and we are pleased that there are indications from the Government that funds have been set aside for this long overdue project. We are waiting for the bridge project to take off and we hope it will be soon so that there is improved access between Chiredzi South and Chiredzi Town,” he said.

The planned Chilonga Lucerne project that will result in an investment of US$60 million in Chiredzi South envisages the building of an all-weather bridge across Runde River raising hopes for a modern structure across one of the biggest perennially-flowing rivers in Zimbabwe.