3 weeks, no rescue for marooned Chipinge families

The Zimbabwe Government has no helicopter to rescue 18 Chipinge villagers who for the past three weeks have been marooned 295km, south of Mutare on Lisungwe Island along Sabi River in Chipinge.

Efforts by the ZRP Sub-Aqua Unit to reach the villagers have so far failed.Chipinge South MP, Clifford Hlatswayo told Masvingo Mirror in an exclusive telephone interview yesterday that the situation is critical for the 18 from Mahenye Village in Ward 23 as the waters continue to rise every day. The threat of crocodiles that are being spotted near the area has also become dire.

Chipinge District Development Administrator and District Civil Protection Committee (DCPC) chairperson, William Mashava said the helicopter that is supposed to airlift the trapped villagers is currently attending to similar situations in the Midlands Province. Hope for the trapped villagers is now pinned on wooden boats that are supposed to be brought in by Mozambican villagers but that again is quite risky.

Mashava said the National Civil Protection Office was notified and is in the process of coordinating further assistance.

The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe under whom the Civil Protection Unit falls could note be reached for a comment.

The villagers get to the island for farming and fishing. Meanwhile, Manicaland Meteorological Department Provincial Officer, Tapiwa Maringo, warned that rains are expected to persist until the end of March.

“These villagers depend on Lisungwe Island for their livelihoods, but rising water levels have made it impossible for them to leave safely. Some are in parts of the island not yet underwater, but they remain isolated,” said Mashava.

This is the second reported incident this year. In January, 10 villagers were marooned on the same island, prompting monitoring by the DCPC Committee.

Villagers reportedly often camp on Lisungwe Island during the rainy season to take advantage of fertile soils and abundant fish, even though seasonal flooding poses significant risks. Families typically supply food by canoe, but rising water levels have made access increasingly difficult.

“Wet conditions will continue across the province until the end of March, with heavier rains expected between March 18 and 20. We urge communities in flood-prone areas to remain on high alert,” he said.

Masvingo mirror