Story by Gay Matambo
COMMUNITIES in Chiredzi South constituency have joined hands with the government in the temporary rehabilitation of the Chilonga causeway, which was destroyed by heavy rains during last summer’s cropping season.
The damage to the key crossing point has significantly disrupted travel for residents in Chikombedzi, Mabhalauta, and Malipati, who are now forced to detour via Rutenga or Mupapa to reach Chiredzi town, adding at least 125 kilometres to their journeys.
In a demonstration of unity and self-reliance, local residents have come together to provide labour, resources, and logistical support to restore the causeway.
“We decided as a community to mobilise building materials, rocks and many for the rehabilitation of our causeway. Some are cooking for the people who are working here, others have come in with transport to transport the material and others are sending through funds from wherever they are so that this programme is a success,” a community member said.
“We decided to take part in this programme because the causeway is important to us. We have government officials, schoolchildren and farmers who need to constantly travel to Chiredzi town and back, so, without this causeway, life would be difficult,” a concerned resident.
“We value this bridge, it makes life easy for us hence, as a community we are working with the government in repairing this structure. We are being driven by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo,” a community member said.
The Chilonga causeway rehabilitation works are expected to be completed in the shortest possible time.
“We commenced works here on March 31. We hope that in two weeks the causeway will be accessible. We are trying our best so that when government assistance comes at a later stage resources and manpower will be there already and nothing can stop work here. That is why you see that the community has gone all out,” the Chairperson of the Chilonga Causeway Restoration Programme, Mr Tiyani Chilonga said.
The local leadership cited the need for the construction of a high-rise bridge that links the constituency to Chiredzi town as four possible sites for another standard bridge have already been identified by the government.
“We have called on our people to join hands for this noble cause because any development that takes place in our area will benefit the community at large, our wish is to be able to see motorists and pedestrians using this causeway soon,” Chief Chilonga the local traditional leader said.
“This is a low-level bridge, a causeway that we have been using since 2006 to date when the main bridge at Chipinda Pools was destroyed again by heavy rains. This rainy season, the causeway was destroyed and that is why we are here. The roads engineer was here recently and revealed plans by the government on this bridge, so, the community decided to come in and assist so that the repair works can be done in the shortest possible time,” Chiredzi South legislator, Honourable Joel Sithole said.
Such collaborations between communities and government hold immense significance, fostering a cohesive and supportive environment that benefits society on various fronts.
