Chitungwiza blast victims houses rebuilding starts

Government and its social partners on Friday started re-building houses for victims of the mysterious blast that rocked Zengeza suburb and razed three houses, killing four people, in Chitungwiza early this year.

The houses will be built through the assistance of the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS), the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and some corporates.

The blast, which police attributed to a suspected bomb, destroyed the three houses and left 12 others with cracks.

Officially launching the re-building programme at the site in Chitungwiza, CPU director Mr Madzudzo Pawadyira hailed the ZRCS and its humanitarian ambassador Alick Macheso for championing the re-building project.

"Let me thank the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society and its trustworthy partners for championing this common cause," he said.
"I cherish the relationship the Government and Red Cross have. Red Cross is not an NGO, they have international respect and been instrumental in successful charity campaigns world over.

"The Government trusted the organisation for its neutrality, honesty, truthfulness and commitment."
ZRCS president Mr Edison Mlambo said in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Paradzai Mkundwa that the society shared the grief of the victims.

He promised to mobilise support from the corporate world, both local and abroad, to help the Government to cater for people's needs and respond to unfortunate disasters.
"As the national Red Cross Society we share the grief of the victims," said Mr Mlambo.

"However, there is a time for grieving and a time to act which explains our response to the disaster since day one. I am happy to say we have been able to provide both food and non-food relief items which, though they may not have been enough, went a long way in plugging the gaps."

The ground breaking ceremony was attended by ZRCS humanitarian ambassador Macheso, and representatives from the corporate partners, Cell One Electronics and ZimCafe.