Heavy rain in Zimbabwe destroys houses, renders many homeless

By Bisola Adeyemo

Flash torrential downpour in Mhondoro-Ngezi, Zimbabwe has destroyed houses, valuable properties and rendered many families homeless.

About 22 families were evacuated from their houses to safer locations after losing their properties including foodstuff.

NewZimbabwe.com learnt that the heavy rain hit Ward 11 and lasted for three consecutive days last week, resulting in several houses collapsing and roofs being blown off.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance Mashonaland West provincial leadership led by chairperson Ralph Magunje, ensured that immediate help was rendered to affected villagers after assessing the quantum of damages caused by the rain.

“MDC Alliance’s social corporate responsibility programmes dictate that we render help regardless of one’s political affiliation, hence we donated food, maize seed and cash to all affected households.

“We also conducted a tour of the destroyed structures and took note of what needs to be done for the families to get back to their normal lives, as some were forced to stay in makeshift structures while others are squatting at neighbours’ houses.

“Some people in the area are involved in bakery projects which recently got loans of 50kg bags of flour from the Women’s Bank. They are now in a quandary over how they will repay these loans,” said Magunje.