THE government has indicated that villagers from Lubimbi in the Gwayi-Shangani catchment area will be moved back to Kanondo area, where they e lived before white settlers displaced them during the colonial era.
In an interview with Southern Eye, Local Government and Public Works ministry spokesperson Gabriel Masvora confirmed the development.
“This place was chosen because it bears a historical background for the villagers,” he said.
“They once lived there long back before white settlers displaced them.”
Earlier this year, the government revealed that it had identified land to construct houses for Lubimbi villagers to be relocated from the Gwayi-Shangani Dam catchment area.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Richard Moyo, however, said funding for the relocation programme was not yet available.
He said they had identified the place and what was left was drilling boreholes, constructing houses and schools, among others.
Moyo said the budget for all the above infrastructural development was sent to Treasury and they are waiting for the funds to be released.
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He said the funds were expected to be released during the first quarter of this year.
Moyo said the villagers would remain at their present location until houses had been constructed in Binga district’s Lusulu area.
He said civil work had already commenced at the site where the villagers will be relocated.
Moyo said last year, government had estimated that US$2 million was needed for the relocation project and compensation for the affected villagers.
