The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata Senior Reporter
A SAKUBVA high-density suburb woman is lucky to be alive after she was hit by an avalanche of bricks that fell from the roof of a dilapidated council house she is renting in MacGregor’s. Magret Kufa (37), who resides at No. 90, was rushed to Mutare Provincial Hospital after sustaining numerous internal injuries from the impact of the falling bricks.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday at around 9am while Kufa was fast asleep in her bed, has since triggered an outcry from residents who accuse the local authority of failing to do anything to repair the houses which are in a sorry state. In an interview at Mutare Provincial Hospital, Kufa said she was asleep when bricks fell on her.
“I was hit and passed out. My back is badly hurt and I am having a headache. I don’t know how I survived the brick fall because I was hit all over my body,” she said.
Mutare Mayor Councillor Tatenda Nhamarare apologised to the Kufa family for the unfortunate incident. He bemoaned the dilapidated state of the council apartments which he said would be destroyed and replaced with new houses under the ongoing Urban Renewal Project.
“What happened is very regrettable. I will personally instruct our guys from the housing department to go and talk to the affected family and see how council will address the situation. Those houses in MacGregor’s and others in Sakubva have outlived their lifespan and they have become dangerous. Mutare City Council has partnered with Government and the private sector to spearhead urban renewal and provide decent accommodation in old locations like MacGregor’s,” he said.
Irate residents said council was collecting $25 in monthly rentals but failing to do repairs.
“This is a death trap. The houses are falling apart. We don’t have water and electricity. We have raised our concerns with the Civic Centre but it seems our pleas are falling on deaf ears,” said a resident who requested anonymity.
