Tokwe-Mukosi: When Worst-Case-Scenario Became Real
It was a reservoir that was supposed to bring agricultural life to the drought stricken lands of Chivi South and Muchakata area in Masvingo Province. As the largest inland dam in the country, Tokwe-Mukosi would be well geared to provide an irrigation venture that would keep the people of Chivi well clear of the threat of perennial famine for a very long time to come. Maybe forever. Add to that the provision of drinking water as well as a hydro-electricity project, and the importance of building the dam would literally be priceless. And yes, with the accelerated construction rate after the dam project was injected with cash two years ago, the fruits of the labour of pooling the waters of Tugwi and Mukosi Rivers are becoming more and more real by the day. But just a few weeks ago, Tokwe-Mukosi had people chewing their hearts right in their mouths when it threatened to wipe away the very lives of those long-suffering residents of Masvingo South, for which it was ironically built