By Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI-Chiredzi District’s Civil Protection Unit (CPU) recently warned motorists using the dangerously hanging Chilonga Causeway saying they should stop using it with immediate effect.
CPU said using the bridge, which connects Chiredzi South with the Central Business District (CBD) even if the water in Runde River subsides until they have deemed it safe to do so.
Chiredzi District Development Coordinator (DDC) who chairs the CPU, Lovemore Chisema issued the warning to motorists from passing through the deadly low lying bridge this rainy season, citing that action will be taken on non-compliant motorists.
“Please be informed that Chilonga causeway has been seriously undermined due to recent flooding of Runde River.
“It is now impossible even if the water levels over the bridge subside to cross using heavy vehicles from one side of the river to the other. We have thus far made an effort to block the use of the cause now and in the future.
“By copy of this notice, all motorists of both heavy and light weight motor vehicles are instructed not to use the causeway until such a time it has been declared safe to do so. Action will be taken for anyone found breaching this instruction,” said Chisema.
Chisema also expressed worry over people who use homemade canoes to cross the flooded Runde River which is infested with Hippos and Crocodiles
“Though we do not allow people to use canoes, they are adamant and unfortunately travelers approach the canoe owners for service. They say it’s less risky and less expensive than taking a longer routes,” added Chisema.
The low-lying Chilonga bridge came as a makeshift after the Chipinda Bridge in Gonarezhou was swept away by Cyclone Eline in 2000, marking exactly two decades without any action by the central government, and has been a death trap over the years in the rainy season.
The bridge is the links Chiredzi South constituency and Chiredzi Town where people get social services like acquiring birth certificates, banks, medical services and business.
A number of lives have been lost yearly during the rainy seasons including a three-year-old toddler who is still yet to be found, a professional diver from the Buchwa Police Sub Aqua Unit, a soldier and various other civilians.
In 2024, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Joshua Sacco promised that another standard bridge will be erected saying they had established four possible sites which was already budgeted for.
