South African National Defence Force (SANDF) engineers are in Chimanimani to reconstruct road infrastructure destroyed by Cyclone Idai, Lieutenant Colonel Director Army Public Relations Alphios Makotore revealed yesterday.
Over 13 roads and bridges are expected to be reconstructed and repaired at an estimated cost of $20 million in Manicaland after the Cyclone that also damage property in Malawi and Mozambique.
“South Africa has honoured its pledge to assist Zimbabwe in the reconstruction of destroyed road infrastructure in Chimanimani after the devastating Cyclone Idai disaster,” Makotore said.
“The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) engineers arrived at Kopa in Chimanimani on Monday 22 July 2019 to fufil the pledge that was made by that country’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Cde Lindiwe Sisulu to assist Zimbabwe in rehabilitating road infrastructure in Chimanimani destroyed by Cyclone Idai.”
Besides sending military engineers to Zimbabwe, South Africa, in March, also assisted its northern neighbor with sniffer dogs to locate victims of Cyclone Idai buried under mudslides.
The South African Government also donated R60 million Zimbabwe following the natural disaster.
Citizens and companies from Zimbabwe’s southern neighbor donated financial aid, clothes, water purifiers, non-perishable food items and blankets.
A businessman from the same country Patrice Motsepe offered R15 million to help the Cyclone Idai victims.
“The SANDF engineers will be working closely together with their Zimbabwe National Army conterparts,” the Colonel said.
“The South Africans will be in the country until they finish the prioritised projects in Chipinge and Chimanimani districts respectively.”