Mashonaland chiefs demand stake in Lake Kariba projects

Traditional Chiefs in Mashonaland West Province whose communities were displaced from the Zambezi Valley to pave way for the construction of Lake Kariba in the 50s, are demanding meaningful projects for their areas from the Zimbabwe River Authority (ZARA).

The chiefs also want to be treated as important stakeholders in Kariba's key developmental issues so as to benefit their people through employment opportunities.

Chiefs Dandawa, Nyamhunga, Nematombo, Nebiri and Sampakaruma are among chiefs whose communities were relocated to different areas by ZARA before or during the construction of Lake Kariba over 60 years ago.

Chief Senator Dandawa of Hurungwe said although the Zambezi River Authority at times chipped in with projects in his area, the level of assistance so far received was below expectation.

He said it was necessary for ZARA to bring meaningful development to all communities displaced from the Zambezi Valley adding that the chiefs should also be consulted in all major issues of development in Kariba. He cited the, Kariba South Extension Project currently underway and the Gache-Gache gold mining projects as examples for which the chiefs should have been consulted.