By Flata Kavinga
Government is conducting damage and needs assessments following an explosion at an explosives magazine in Redcliff that killed a security guard and damaged more than 100 properties, with assistance expected to target vulnerable households.
Kwekwe district development coordinator Fortune Mpungu said government was awaiting a response from the company that owned the detonators before determining the extent of assistance required by affected residents.
He said the assessments would guide government’s intervention, with priority given to vulnerable groups, including elderly people and orphans.
“Like we said, a damage assessment exercise and a needs assessment exercise are underway. We are still waiting for an appropriate response from the company that owned the detonators. Government will then assist depending on the needs assessment results,” Mpungu told journalists.
“We will target the vulnerable, like the elderly and the orphans. Those with the means to repair their own properties will be asked to do so, while serious property damage will be assessed.”
Mpungu also appealed to communities and businesses to assist affected residents where possible.
The explosion occurred at an explosives magazine in a mountainous area near Ziscosteel and Bimco properties. It is suspected to have happened during an attempted break-in at the facility.
The blast killed a security guard and damaged more than 100 properties in surrounding areas, raising concerns about the safety of explosives storage facilities located near residential communities.
The ongoing assessments are expected to establish the extent of the damage and identify households requiring urgent assistance.
Government’s planned intervention will depend on the findings of the assessments and the response from the company that owned the detonators.
