Tokwe-Mukosi: Villagers demand compensation
March 17, 2013 in Community News
PRESSURE is piling on government to ensure that villagers being displaced by
the construction of the Tokwe-Mukosi dam in Masvingo get compensation and
rehabilitation.
BY OUR STAFF
Affected villagers last year formed the Tokwe-Mukosi People’s Rehabilitation
and Resettlement Trust (TMPRRT) to co-ordinate the issue of compensation of
the 3 000 people that are set to be displaced.
TMPRRT founder, Tasara Wam-ambo said the trust wanted to facilitate a smooth
relocation to ensure the villagers are not disadvantaged.
“We do not want people to expe-rience what happened with the construction of
Kariba Dam, where villagers were stranded for over a year, and could not
farm,” said Wamambo.
“Our wish is for the villagers to lead normal lives as soon as possible and
to get some form of compensation from the relocation.”
It is estimated that the construction of Kariba dam forced the resettlement
of over 50 000 Tonga people living along the Zambezi in both Zambia and
Zimbabwe.
Wamambo said the trust held several meetings with the Zimbabwe National
Water Authority (Zinwa) regarding the issue of water rights, to ensure that
locals would also benefit from the dam.
“We have also discussed with local telecommunication companies to assist
community members in development projects,” he said.
The trust was formed in October last year to represent families affected by
the construction of the dam and to safeguard the community’s value and
resources.
“Life should not be hard for these gallant people who have sacrificed their
land, developments, relationships and culture,” said Wamambo.
“Their momentous sacrifice allows for the development of the dam and the
nation. Thus the people need to be treated in the best regard. By seeking to
re-establish them into the new community, the people will not be
disadvantaged.”
Wamambo said the displaced villagers would need compensation and
rehabilitation.
“Compensation on its own is not an end to people’s problems. The people of
Tokwe-Mukosi need rehabilitation and since they are giving up their land to
a massive economic development, payment of a lump sum is not enough,” said
Wamambo.
“Where and how they will live before their structures are in place, comes to
mind? Money is good, but in the wrong hands, it will not do much. If we say
a house for a house, a community for a community, relationship for a
relationship and a culture for a culture; money cannot provide all this.”
