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The Construction of Lake Gwayi – Shangani: Another Threat to Uncompensated Relocation

Dete villagers fear relocation to pave way for the construction of Lake Gwayi-Shangani. Image by The Citizen Bulletin


BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | AUG 22, 2021

The history of relocations in Zimbabwe is fraught with poor compensation mechanisms or relocation plans, while Dete villagers are happy to be employed, they fear relocation.


HWANGE (The Citizen Bulletin) — Limukani Mudenda* is happy after securing employment at the construction site of Lake Gwayi – Shangani, a situation that has slightly improved his livelihood. A number of locals have been engaged for menial jobs to provide labour for the project. Limukani thinks his joy is short-lived as plans to relocate villagers within the proximity of the lake project are likely.

“I cannot rule out a possibility of being relocated. I am afraid that a relocation process by the government can render us poorer than before as sometimes we may be dumped on non-arable land or far away from our origins,” says Limukani.

The resumed government-funded Lake Gwayi-Shangani formerly Gwayi - Shangani Dam has seen several visits by cabinet ministers and other government officials monitoring progress. As the construction is underway, the need to expand the lake has been identified, so that, the project will fulfil some of its objectives. The intention to relocate some of the villagers within the vicinity of the project is being constantly raised.

The Citizen Bulletin could not see the lake site plan. But, in the latest visit, Anxious Masuka, the Minister of Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Climate and Rural Resettlement said Gwayi Shangani Dam has been changed to Lake Gwayi – Shangani because of its holding capacity.


Fear and anxiety are written all over the subjects of Chief Dingane Nelukoba in Dete. Villagers interviewed by this publication fear relocation without compensation or an appropriate alternative like in many cases of government-induced relocations.


“Many visits by the various ministers indicate the dedication government has on the project, they want it done at any cost. If it means the project needs some space, people are going to be relocated. The worst part is many times the government has dismally failed to compensate people, which is a tragedy as people are always left in cold. All these ministers will be seen no more,” says Andrew Ncube.

In April this year, Richard Moyo, the Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland North toured the Gwayi – Shangani dam project site to monitor progress. The visit was the second in a row after having visited the site in previous weeks with his Bulawayo counterpart Judith Ncube for the same purpose.

Gwayi-Shangani project is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2021 or early 2022. Image by The Citizen Bulletin


First proposed in 1912, the dam project has been on and off.  The construction was started in 1968, implemented in 2003 and took up again in 2013. The Gwayi-Shangani Dam contract was awarded to China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE) way back in 2003, but the completion of the project has been delayed by inadequate funding. The construction of the project resumed in 2019 after years of workshy and is now 40% complete. Lake Gwayi - Shangani is expected to be commissioned by the end of this year or early 2022.

According to the contractor, the completion of the dam will see a 10 MW hydroelectric power plant being built near the dam. The treasury allocated ZW$4.5 billion for Gwayi – Shangani Dam project.

“ZWL$2, 2 billion has been budgeted for the project up to September 2021 and ZWL$8 million has been disbursed to the contractor. In addition to that US$ 94 000 was released for the evaluation and assessment of houses and farmers that will be affected by the lake construction and pipeline,” says Clement Chiduwo, the deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development.

Gwayi – Shangani dam is expected to supply drinking water in the City of Bulawayo and improve the water situation and livelihoods of the once Matabeleland North drought troubled areas.


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In early July, Dr Jorum Gumbo, the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring the Implementation of Government Programmes toured the Gwayi – Shangani dam project tracking progress in the implementation of the project.

The recent visit to the site on July 30 by six government ministers brought to fore the likelihood of a possible relocation. The guest of honour Anxious Masuka, the Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Climate and Rural Resettlement was accompanied by July Moyo, the Minister of Local Government and Public works; Richard Moyo, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution; Daniel Garwe, the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities; Mangaliso Ndlovu, the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Hospitality Industry; and Clement Chiduwo, the Deputy Minister of Finance.  

Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Daniel Garwe said his ministry has been following all over the country where ever there are big projects where the communities can be relocated and siting potential sites thereby building decent houses that are recommended by the government.


“My Ministry is targeting to accommodate everyone in the state of the art houses. We have the vision of seeing every citizen having decent accommodation.”
Daniel Garwe, National Housing and Social Amenities minister


July Moyo, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works says if there is a need to resettle the community members because of the lake expansion the local leaders will be advised in due course.

“And definitely the government of Zimbabwe will make initiatives to compensate the affected communities. The Chief's powers will always be respected,” says Moyo.

Another villager who spoke to this publication argues such sentiments from government officials has no substance as witnessed in Tokwe- Mukosi issue where many people ended up squatting.

“It’s not only Tokwe-Mukosi, even the Tonga people who were displaced during the construction of Lake Kariba have not yet benefited from the project and also no compensation was done except to dump them in wildlife infested areas,” says Bruce Ncube.


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