Chilonga Bridge in Chiredzi South constituency has collapsed due to severe flooding of the Runde River, leaving thousands of villagers stranded and cut off from Chiredzi town.
In response, the Civil Protection Committee has blocked the road connecting Chilonga to Chiredzi Town to prevent motorists and pedestrians from attempting to cross the river via the collapsed bridge.
In light of the recurring danger, villagers are urging the government to build a high-rise bridge, as lives are lost each year during the rainy season when people attempt to cross the flooded Runde River. Said a villager:
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We can not afford the bus fare when travelling via Mwenezi and Mupapa. It is too expensive, especially when one has to travel every week. We end up using boats which are not safe, but sometimes we do not have an option.
</blockquote>
Speaking to ZBC News, Chiredzi District Agritex Officer Tongai Bodi said farmers have been severely impacted by the bridge’s collapse, as they are now forced to take longer routes to reach Chiredzi town. He said:
<blockquote>
We have farmers in Chiredzi South who grow traditional grains, and as you know we had an outbreak of the African Army Worm, and we have to transport pesticides to farmers.
It is going to take us a lot of time to assist the farmers and it is also going to be expensive for the farmers to transport their grain to Nandi GMB depot because they have to use the longer routes now that Chilonga Bridge has collapsed.
We have farmers at the Chilonga irrigation scheme, who travel every day to the market in Chiredzi to supply vegetables.
Those farmers have been affected by the situation because using longer routes means their produce will no longer be as fresh when they reach the market.
</blockquote>
Chiredzi District Development Coordinator Lovemore Chisema stressed the urgent need for a high-rise bridge to connect the two areas. Said Chisema:
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I can confirm that the Runde River is currently impassable at Chilonga Bridge due to flooding. The structure collapsed, and we urgently need an all-weather bridge to be constructed, facilitating access to Chiredzi town for communities in areas like Chikombedzi and Majijimba.
Villagers are currently using the Mupapa or the Mwenezi route via the Chikombedzi route. Some, as you can see, are using these makeshift boats risking their lives.
We have people in Chiredzi South who need to access services, be it medical services, or banks in Chiredzi town, but they are not able to due to this situation here.
</blockquote>
With the Chipinda Pools Bridge in Gonarezhou National Park having been swept away years ago, travellers from Chiredzi South are now forced to take a longer route through Mupapa Bridge in Mwenezi District to reach Chiredzi town.
More: <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/chilonga-bridge-collapses/">ZBC News</a>

Pindula News

The Chilonga Bridge in Chiredzi collapsed because of flooding, leaving many villagers cut off from Chiredzi town. People are stranded and have to take longer routes now. Farmers are affected as they can't reach the market easily, and it's expensive for them to transport goods. Villagers are asking the government to build a new, high-rise bridge. The Civil Protection Committee has blocked the road to keep people safe. It's important to fix the bridge quickly so people can access important services and not risk their lives using unsafe boats.

Chilonga Bridge Collapse Cuts Off Thousands In Chiredzi

Communities along the Runde River under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane have said illegal mining in the area has resulted in massive siltation of their water sources.
Chief Masunda told <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local-news/article/200007294/zvishavane-villagers-bemoan-river-siltation">Southern Eye</a> that the issue needs to be addressed urgently as dams and rivers are now under serious threat. Said Chief Masunda:
<blockquote>
The issue of illegal mining in our community is of major concern and needs to be addressed now.
This is causing the siltation of our water bodies and the holding capacity of our rivers and dams has been reduced drastically.
Water is essential to life on our planet.
</blockquote>
Illegal mining activities are rampant across the country and the miners habitually pollute water sources when discharging mine effluent.

Zvishavane Villagers Bemoan Runde River Siltation

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) says a man believed to be in his early 40s was killed and eaten by a crocodile while fishing with his colleague in the Runde River around the Chiredzi area at night.
Zimpark rangers then hunted down the killer crocodile, almost 4 metres long, and eliminated it before ripping open its stomach to recover the remains of the victim, who is yet to be identified.
Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zimparks-rangers-kill-runde-croc-after-reptile-eats-fisherman/">The Herald</a> and warned members of the public to be wary of crocodiles on water bodies. Farawo said:
<blockquote>
We have received an unfortunate incident where a man in his 40s was attacked and killed by a crocodile while fishing in Runde River. Our team of alert rangers trekked and killed the problem animal.
We want to encourage people to treat every water body with suspicion, especially during the current rainy season.
Information that we have at the moment is that the deceased fisherman was in the company of another colleague and the pair was fishing in the Runde River at night when the problem crocodile pounced.
</blockquote>

Man Eaten By Crocodile While Fishing At Night

An eight-year-old boy, Jabulani Tatega, was recently attacked and killed by a crocodile while swimming along Runde River in Shurugwi. Zimparks public relations manager Tinashe Farawo confirmed the boy’s death. He said:
<blockquote>This is yet another sad loss of life. We are losing lives to wild animals at a fast rate and I want to repeat our call to people living in or visiting areas with wildlife to always take precautionary measures to avoid such incidents.
The body of the young boy was later found floating along the river and the matter has been reported to the police.
However, human-wildlife conflicts are not only about crocodile attacks, but there are also other dangerous animals that people take for granted when crossing into their territories.
People should also desist from herding livestock in game parks for this does not only put their lives at risk but can also result in diseases outbreaks.</blockquote>
According to reports, crocodiles killed 16 of the total of 20 people who died as a result of wild animal attacks in 2018. During the same year, nearly 200 people were attacked by wild animals that include elephants, hippopotamuses, lions, and buffaloes.
<h3>Related:</h3>
<ul>
<li class="entry-title">
<h3><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/12/18/madziwa-fisherman-killed-by-crocodile-while-fishing-at-eben-dam/">Madziwa Fisherman Killed By Crocodile While Fishing At Eben Dam</a></h3>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/boy-dies-in-croc-attack">The Sunday Mail</a></h3>

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