Party leader Jacob Ngarivhume and some officials visited the area recently on a disaster assessment tour. Some 100 bags of cement, roofing material and goods have since been delivered. The heavy rains also claimed the life of a six-year-old Hopley boy in his sleep.
Among the beneficiaries are 25 party members whose shelters were destroyed by the floods. “Every affected household has been assisted, not just party members. As a people-centred party we felt obliged to assist as the Hopley disaster is a humanitarian crisis,” said Sungai Mazando, the party’s secretary for communications.
Besides constructing the houses, TZ plans to rebuild a local school, which was constructed using substandard material without an approved plan. It will provide expertise offered by technocrats among its members, such as engineers and designers, as well as cement, windows, roofing material among other necessities.
Residents volunteered to provide bricks and labour. Over 10,000 bricks have already been moulded. According to Mazando, construction of the school would be completed within the next two months if everything goes according to plan.
“Genuine politicians with the grassroots at heart should show up at Hopley and other affected areas to assist the poor victims. The nation should bury its differences and selfishness in the interest of the marginalised,” Mazando said.
Ngarivhume also distributed food to the affected members of the Hopley community, who were dumped in the area by government after Operation Murambatsvina in 2005. They were promised two-roomed houses and flats under ‘Operation Garikai’. But the project only benefited Zanu (PF) supporters.
Post published in: News