Epworth residents appeal for government aid after ...

Epworth residents appeal for government aid after destructive rains

Nyashadzashe Ndoro

Families have lost food, utensils, blankets, household furniture, and clothes due to flash flooding caused by the ongoing rains, which has affected many households in Epworth for the past few weeks.

A number of houses were extensively damaged while others were flooded and consequently uninhabitable. Some had their roofs blown off.

With no facilities like community halls for emergency evacuation shelters, residents endured the situation as best as they could.

This publication, on Friday, toured the affected areas

One of the affected, Daniel, said most people in the low income community would not be able to rebuild without some form of assistance for basic materials like bricks and cement.

“We are in a very difficult situation. There is a need for urgent help for us to restore our houses,” said Daniel, who is the leader of Tawanirwa Nyasha Trust, an organisation representing people living with disabilities.

Daniel is the breadwinner for the family of seven. He has been living at that particular place for the past 28 years.

He also lamented against what he described as haphazard regularisation which left his home unrecognised when government moved to give Epworth residents title deeds last year.

“Our main plea is for the government to allocate us proper houses. We also want authorities not to do selective regularisaton of our communities. The process should be uniform,” Daniel said.

Another resident, a neighbour to Daniel, said she was scared that the same would happen to her house if more heavy rains fall.

“We request them (Government) to come and build us proper houses. My neighbour has lost everything, including radios, furniture, and many valuables. Right now, we do not even know his whereabouts,” she said.

After touring the affected area, Epworth North legislator, Zivai Mhetu, said the situation required urgent solution.

“What I have seen is frightening. People have lost their houses and valuables. I think the government should intervene and help people with cement and bricks.

“The situation is dire. Some have since left their destroyed houses and went to the rural areas. Some are living with neighbours,” he said.

Nobody Makoni, Epworth Board Chairperson, said the area did not have facilities where residents could be taken for safety.

“Epworth does not have community halls for people to be kept safe. We have schools, but education has resumed. Children are going to school so we can't disturb them.