Government Steps In to Assist Beitbridge Residents Hit by Flooding

Government has moved in to assist communities in Beitbridge after persistent flooding damaged homes and destroyed property during the current rainy season.

Families living in low-lying suburbs say the floods have caused serious losses, including ruined food supplies, household appliances and personal items. Some residents have also questioned the effectiveness of the opposition-run Beitbridge Municipality in managing the situation.

One affected parent said floodwaters washed away groceries and damaged children’s school materials, while another resident described the daily struggle of removing water from homes using buckets, only to see furniture, blankets and electrical appliances soaked.

In response, authorities are focusing on relocating families who live in areas most vulnerable to flooding.

Beitbridge Town Clerk, Mr Loud Ramakgapola, said council is carrying out assessments to decide whether permanent relocation is the best option or if drainage systems can be upgraded to prevent future flooding.

Beitbridge West Member of Parliament, Honourable Thusani Ndou, backed the proposal, saying moving residents to safer, elevated areas would significantly reduce risks to lives and property.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Albert Nguluvhe, warned that government could take further action if the municipality fails to address the crisis effectively.

He said cooperation between all stakeholders was essential, adding that government was considering resettlement options and would not hesitate to appoint a commission to manage the municipality if service delivery continued to deteriorate.

The intervention underscores the Second Republic’s commitment under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) to strengthen service delivery and fast-track Zimbabwe’s transformation into an empowered upper-middle-income economy by 2030.