State-Assisted Funeral for Chipinge Dam Breach Victims

THE Government will assist in the burial of the five children who drowned when they were swept away by raging waters following a dam breach at Bandama Farm in Chipinge, Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister Engineer Benjamin Kabikira said yesterday.

The dam breach on Sunday released large quantities of water downstream, with at least five children drowning.

They have been identified as Agnes Muchadeyi (4), Blessing Maone (10), Tapiwa Mtisi (13), Forgiveness Maphosa (10), and Zembilo Dube (4).

Two others, Grace Mlambo (8) and Juliet Mhlanga (4) remain missing.

In an interview during a tour of the dam site and the damaged infrastructure yesterday, Deputy Minister Kabikira said they have “managed to get an appreciation of the extent of damages caused by the dam breach”.

The Government had delivered foodstuffs as part of the assistance for funerals of the deceased.

“We are here as messengers of our President, His Excellency Cde Emerson Mnangagwa. Apart from the human lives lost, we also got to see the damaged infrastructure, including bridges that were swept away and livestock that was also lost.

“In the spirit of leaving no one and no place behind, as espoused by our President, we have delivered foodstuffs that will be used during the funerals of the deceased children.

“The Government will assist in funeral logistics to ensure the bereaved families do not shoulder the burden alone,” said Deputy Minister Kabikira. The Herald