Flooded Bridge Blocks Pupils From Attending School For Two Months

By Bindura Bureau

Parents of tens of Pednor Primary School pupils who were unable to attend school since the beginning of the year have heaved a sigh of relief after River View Bridge was finally desilted by a local land developer, Nhau/Indaba has established.

The pupils were unable to cross the bridge as Mazowe River had overflowed, blocking their access to the school after the recent heavy rains that hit Mashonaland Central province and its surrounding areas.

Bindura Rural District Council chairman Gilbert Jonga confirmed that for the past two months the school’s pupils staying across Mazowe River to the north have not been able to attend school.

The bridge also affected farmers and parents who wanted business and other services in Bindura.

Those who could, had to use winding routes either via Glendale or Mt Darwin, ending up paying too much on bus fares.

“This bridge links farmers to the market in Bindura. It is the main link bridge to the Matepatepa community, a well-known farming community in the province and country at large.

“We really want to thank the Minister of State (Dr. Monica Mavhunga) for sourcing a well-wisher to work on the bridge, though its temporary, it’s of great significance to us,” said Jonga.

Minister Mavhunga, who also visited the bridge, said she was happy with the well-wisher’s gesture encouraging corporates around the province to copy from him and help communities they are operating in.

She said she took the necessary action after being approached by the community’s leaders over the bridge issue and children failing to go to school.

“We had to approach the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s provincial head (Mr. Mutenha) asking him to accommodate these pupils at Foothills Primary, using their Pednor uniforms and fees, and he granted us that permission.

“This road and bridge and many others like this across the province will all be rehabilitated soon, budgets under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) have already been set and disbursed. Work has been stalled by the ongoing rains and as soon as they calm, work will start,” said Minister Mavhunga.

She went on to warn people against crossing flooded rivers and tempering with water bodies despite them having swimming skills.

Dr. Mavhunga said, “Drivers, especially public transport drivers, should also never attempt crossing flooded bridges. They must value people’s lives more than money.”

Mollen Ngirazi, a farmer at River View Farm, said that the desilting of the river saved their transport costs as transport operators were now profiteering by charging them around US$7 to get to Bindura instead of a dollar when all is normal. Nhau/Indaba