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56 families face displacement for Bopoma Glassblock dam
10 hrs ago |
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At least 56 households in Insiza South are expected to be relocated to make way for the construction of the proposed Bopoma Glassblock Dam, a major water infrastructure project intended to bolster supplies to Bulawayo.
Affected families were informed of the planned relocations during a community meeting held at Gangabezi Business Centre on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by village heads, councillors, contractor representatives and local residents.
Village head Sydney Mthuthuki Mkhwananzi said 51 of the affected households fall under the jurisdiction of village head Chrisbert Ndlovu, while five are from his area.
According to Mkhwananzi, residents were advised to begin identifying alternative land nearby, with authorities indicating that relocations would take place within the local area rather than further afield.
"Villagers were told that they can look for places to stay nearby. They will not relocate them far," he said.
He added that officials had assured residents that replacement houses would be constructed to accommodate displaced families and that they would not be left without shelter.
Families were also informed that they would be allowed to continue cultivating their fields during the current agricultural season to minimise disruptions to their livelihoods.
Bekezela Sibasa said the number of households expected to be affected had risen considerably from initial projections.
"We were told that about 10 households would be affected and I had suggested that these people be allocated stands nearby so that they can continue benefiting from fishing at Zhulube Dam," he said.
Chief Sibasa said authorities had undertaken to provide standard housing for relocated families.
He further noted that families wishing to exhume and relocate the remains of deceased relatives would be permitted to do so.
The proposed Bopoma Glassblock Dam, located in the Upper Umzingwane catchment area, is expected to have a storage capacity of approximately 130 million cubic metres of water, making it the second-largest water supply dam serving Bulawayo after Insiza Dam.
Once completed, the dam is projected to supply around 68 million litres of water daily to Bulawayo through a pipeline connected to the Ncema water system.
The project is regarded as a key intervention in addressing Bulawayo's long-standing water challenges. The city has endured years of water-shedding caused by recurring droughts, declining dam levels and increasing demand from households and industry.
Despite the relocation notices, uncertainty remains over the exact timeline for construction, as officials did not provide a definitive commencement date during the meeting.
Current indications are that full-scale construction will begin once financing arrangements and contractual processes have been finalised. The project is expected to take between two and three years to complete.
Ward 1 councillor Peter Mwanza could not be reached for comment.
Authorities are expected to continue engaging affected communities as planning for relocation and compensation arrangements progresses.
Affected families were informed of the planned relocations during a community meeting held at Gangabezi Business Centre on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by village heads, councillors, contractor representatives and local residents.
Village head Sydney Mthuthuki Mkhwananzi said 51 of the affected households fall under the jurisdiction of village head Chrisbert Ndlovu, while five are from his area.
According to Mkhwananzi, residents were advised to begin identifying alternative land nearby, with authorities indicating that relocations would take place within the local area rather than further afield.
"Villagers were told that they can look for places to stay nearby. They will not relocate them far," he said.
He added that officials had assured residents that replacement houses would be constructed to accommodate displaced families and that they would not be left without shelter.
Families were also informed that they would be allowed to continue cultivating their fields during the current agricultural season to minimise disruptions to their livelihoods.
Bekezela Sibasa said the number of households expected to be affected had risen considerably from initial projections.
"We were told that about 10 households would be affected and I had suggested that these people be allocated stands nearby so that they can continue benefiting from fishing at Zhulube Dam," he said.
Chief Sibasa said authorities had undertaken to provide standard housing for relocated families.
He further noted that families wishing to exhume and relocate the remains of deceased relatives would be permitted to do so.
The proposed Bopoma Glassblock Dam, located in the Upper Umzingwane catchment area, is expected to have a storage capacity of approximately 130 million cubic metres of water, making it the second-largest water supply dam serving Bulawayo after Insiza Dam.
Once completed, the dam is projected to supply around 68 million litres of water daily to Bulawayo through a pipeline connected to the Ncema water system.
The project is regarded as a key intervention in addressing Bulawayo's long-standing water challenges. The city has endured years of water-shedding caused by recurring droughts, declining dam levels and increasing demand from households and industry.
Despite the relocation notices, uncertainty remains over the exact timeline for construction, as officials did not provide a definitive commencement date during the meeting.
Current indications are that full-scale construction will begin once financing arrangements and contractual processes have been finalised. The project is expected to take between two and three years to complete.
Ward 1 councillor Peter Mwanza could not be reached for comment.
Authorities are expected to continue engaging affected communities as planning for relocation and compensation arrangements progresses.
Source - Cite
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