CHILONGA Bridge in Chiredzi South constituency has collapsed due to the flooding of Runde River, leaving thousands of villagers cut off from Chiredzi town.
The Civil Protection Committee has since blocked the road connecting Chilonga and Chiredzi Town, a move meant to stop motorists and pedestrians from attempting to cross the river through the collapsed bridge.
Meanwhile, villagers have called for assistance.
”We need a high-rise bridge because every year during the rainy season, people drown while attempting to cross the flooded Runde River,” a villager said.
“Chipinda Pools Bridge was destroyed in the year 2000 now Chilonga Bridge has collapsed. We are appealing for a high-rise bridge because we will continue to experience difficulties in trying to access Chiredzi town,” another villager said.
“We can not afford the bus fare when travelling via Mwenezi and Mupapa. It is too expensive, especially when one has to travel on a weekly basis. We end up using boats which are not safe, but sometimes we do not have an option,” another villager said.
The situation is even more difficult for government officials who frequently travel to Chiredzi South to offer services to communities.
“We have farmers in Chiredzi South who grow traditional grains, and as you know we had an outbreak of the African Army Worm, and we have to transport pesticides to farmers. It is going to take us a lot of time to assist the farmers and
it is also going to be expensive for the farmers to transport their grain to Nandi GMB depot because they have to use the longer routes now that Chilonga Bridge has collapsed. We have farmers at Chilonga irrigation scheme, who travell every day to the market in Chiredzi to supply vegetables. Those farmers have been affected by the situation because using longer routes means their produce will no longer be as fresh when they reach the market,” Chiredzi District Agritex Officer, Mr Tongai Bodi said.
Chiredzi District Development Coordinator, Mr Lovemore Chisema cited the need for the construction of a high-rise bridge that links the two areas.
“I can confirm that the Runde River is currently impassable at Chilonga Bridge due to flooding. The structure collapsed, and we urgently need an all-weather bridge to be constructed, facilitating access to Chiredzi town for communities in areas like Chikombedzi and Majijimba.
“Villagers are currently using the Mupapa or the Mwenezi route via the Chikombedzi route. Some, as you can see, are using these makeshift boats risking their lives. We have people in Chiredzi South who need to access services, be it medical services, banks in Chiredzi town, but they are not able to due to this situation here,” Mr Chisema said.
With Chipinda Pools Bridge in Gonarezhou National Park having also been swept away many years ago, travellers from Chiredzi South can now only access Chiredzi town by travelling via Mupapa Bridge in Mwenezi District.
