The majority of people in Budiriro B, a wetland next to the Marimba River now in flood, have declined the Government’s offer to be evacuated to Budiriro 2 Vocational Community Training centre.
Some of the affected women who spoke to The Herald said they feared their marriages will collapse if they go to Budiriro 2 and leave their husbands behind guarding their properties.
Susan Bure said in the flooding last season she accepted evacuation, but when she returned she found that her husband was living with another wife.
Budiriro B lies close to the Marimba River which is now in flood and this prompted the Department of Civil Protection to move in to evacuate the families.
The Department said it will not force the evacuation and so far, only 59 people from 43 families in Budiriro B have accepted the government’s offer to be evacuated.
Department of Civil Protection director Nathan Nkomo said the area is a condemned settlement and people should move to save their lives. He said:
We are not denying anyone some conjugal rights. If you feel you need them, you are free to go back and have conjugal rights with your partners. It’s unfortunate if we lose people’s lives during this rainy period.
If you are in trouble you will not even think of these useless things. We are not forcing you, you choose what to do in this situation.
Other residents, however, thanked the Government for the timely intervention.
Authorities intend to permanently resettle the households in Budiriro B at a flat complex in Dzivarasekwa Extension.