By Crime and Courts Reporter-Several people are feared dead following the collapse of Bandama Dam in Chipinge on Sunday, leaving a devastating trail of destruction downstream.
The disaster has once again highlighted the recurring problem of poor dam construction and maintenance in Zimbabwe, which has contributed to frequent flooding disasters over the years.
The exact number of those affected remains unclear, but Chipinge Ward 10 Councillor Pearson Sithole told the state media that three bodies have been recovered so far, while three children remain missing.
In addition to human casualties, livestock has also been swept away, though officials have yet to determine the total number of affected animals.
John Misi, the Acting Director for Local Government Services in Manicaland, confirmed the tragic development, revealing that among the deceased is a 30-year-old man, whose body was found buried in mud near the dam wall, and a 4-year-old girl, whose remains were discovered further downstream.
Misi also reported that a 7-year-old girl, who was swept away by the floodwaters, was miraculously rescued and rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
Additionally, a 13-year-old girl, stranded due to the dam collapse, was successfully rescued by members of the local community.
The collapse of Bandama Dam is not an isolated incident but part of a broader crisis of deteriorating infrastructure in Zimbabwe.
Many of the country’s dams were built decades ago and have suffered from years of neglect, lack of maintenance, and poor construction practices.
Experts have long warned that inadequate engineering, coupled with climate change-induced extreme weather conditions, is a ticking time bomb for communities living downstream of aging dams.
In recent years, similar disasters have occurred across the country.
In 2019, Cyclone Idai caused severe flooding, exacerbated by dam failures that led to massive displacement and loss of life in Chimanimani and Chipinge.
Earlier this year, concerns were raised over the structural integrity of several small- and medium-sized dams across Zimbabwe, with engineers calling for urgent rehabilitation work.
Residents and local leaders have repeatedly urged the government to invest in dam safety measures, including proper inspections, reinforcement of dam walls, and emergency response plans.
However, funding constraints and bureaucratic inefficiencies have stalled such efforts, leaving vulnerable communities at constant risk of disaster.