The only meaningful business venture in the area is the mining of lithium at Bikita Minerals – but residents say they are not benefiting from it.
“Labourers at the mine are employed from elsewhere. Our local children only collect mine waste which is used to clean kitchen utensils. Besides that, we virtually get nothing. It is better to introduce community share trusts to benefit locals,” complained Rita Mutimba from Sosera Village near the mine.
Development in the area has been sporadic since 1980. The roads are in a deplorable state, potholed and bumpy, as there has been virtually no maintenance over the years. Since being elected in 2008, Heya Shoko (40), the MDC-T Member of Parliament for Bikita West, works tirelessly to try and improve things.
“The Pamushana – Hozvi road was a death trap until MP Shoko pooled resources and created a food-for-work programme to rehabilitate it. We lost many lives in road accidents particularly at the sharp curve near Masunda Village,” said Richard Muvava from Hozvi.
When he was elected, one of Shoko’s priorities was to improve the roads. He sourced money from donors and bought maize which he gave to locals who worked on the road, filling in potholes and repairing bridges swept away by Cyclone Eline and Cyclone Japhet between 2000 and 2004.
“Buses had stopped plying the Mushanduri – Negovano dusty road because of the many dongas brought about by heavy rains during the cyclones. We walked in excess of 12km to reach the nearest bus stop. But it’s now a thing of the past because of Shoko’s hard work,” said Grace Matsvange from Mudzami Village. The area is in Climatic Region 5 and receives very little rainfall. Crops wilt just about every season.
“We have the Siya Dam in our backyard but we don’t have any irrigation project s. Instead the water irrigates sugar cane in the Mkwasine Sugar Estates in the Lowveld. We are happy MP Shoko has engaged non-governmental organisations to try and set up an irrigation project in our area,” said traditional leader, Chief Mazungunye.
The irrigation project is expected to go a long way in alleviating hunger, as people will be able to grow food and cash crops all year round under irrigation. Shoko has also engaged the services of Bikita District Administrator Edgars Senza to ensure every needy person gets food assistance, and none are barred from buying grain from the Grain Marketing Board.
The MP has been cleared by Parliament for effectively using the Constituency Development Fund.
“We are happy that Shoko managed to replace roofing sheets blown away by a whirlwind at Chirumba Secondary School in Ward 9, “ said Sheila Chabuda, a member of the School Development Committee.
With CDF funds Shoko build a number of classrooms at Mukanganwi and Masunda Bikita secondary schools in ward 10, Mupakwa secondary in Ward 13 and Mushavhi secondary in Ward 22.
Post published in: News