By Raynard Tatenda
The uncertainty surrounding the state of the Tokwe Mukosi Dam in Masvingo province of Southern Zimbabwe has caused widespread panic in the area with the government’s actions giving the lie to the claim that all is well at the dam.
Two days ago the State claimed that the dam, which is being built at a cost of US$156 million by an Italian Company Salini Impregilio, was safe and not in any danger of collapsing.
However, at a Press conference on Tuesday, Local Government Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo revealed that the Government needed about $20 million to deal with flooding in the Tokwe Mukosi basin.
Chombo said 60 000 people were at risk with 20 000 of these in the dam basin and another 40 000 downstream. This figure is significantly higher than the 3000 people who were originally meant to be displaced by the dam’s constructions and is even higher than the 57 000 displaced by the Kariba Dam in 1958-59.
The state of the Tokwe – Mukosi Dam has been the subject of much speculation after pictures and video appeared online apparently showing a cracked and collapsing section of the dam wall.
The dam, which has been under construction for the better part of 10 years, was scheduled to be completed in November last year, but is not looking likely to be completed anytime soon.
Residents of the area are being evacuated as the fear of over a billion cubic litres of water flowing over the countryside is causing much consternation. With possible flood effects to be felt as far as the Chilonjo cliffs, some prime farming and tourism land is likely to be flooded and remain under water for some time or be permanently damaged.
Dr Chombo admitted that by Sunday “only 36 out of a targeted 2300 families had been moved.” He gave no reasons although it has emerged that the families are demanding compensation before they move out. The wisdom of making these demands in the shadow of the 90 metre high wall is debatable.
Reports indicate that some families received amounts ranging from $3 000 to $25 000 as relocation allowances in October 2013, but that programme stopped after benefiting a few families.
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