The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
AN Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe congregant who did the unthinkable when he attempted to retrieve church funds from his submerged house has died alongside 71 other church members after being swept away by the fury of flooded rivers at Risutu in what stands out as the largest mass death in the church’s history.
So spine-chilling is the tale of the official (name withheld) who served in church’s treasury and put his life in danger in an attempt to safeguard church funds.
The church member had recently tied a knot, and when his pregnant wife got the sad news, immediately went into labour and delivered baby girl.
He is among the 72 AFM members who could not be accounted for as Cyclone Idai razed Risutu Growth Point, famously known as Kopa, causing massive deaths and displacement of people.
The strong winds and floods swept and annihilated everything along its path, destroying lives, livelihoods and infrastructure.
The psychological and socio-economic scars of the tragedy will not subside or be easily forgotten.
The figures are only estimates, as only four bodies have so far been recovered.
Fears also abound that missing victims could have been swept away into Mozambique, and searches are on-going down Rusitu river.
AFM clergy Reverend Shepherd Chazoita said he has a tall order of comforting hurting bereaved members and survivors.
He said Cyclone Idai was particularly disorienting as the missing members were wonderful and vibrant part of the Kopa community.
“Everyone is in a state of shock”. “We are all devastated, but prayerful and hopeful,” said Rev Chazoita.
“Kopa is no longer a township; it has been destroyed almost entirely from houses, shops, bridges, electricity and schools. You don’t see roads, houses, fields and the usually busy market centre. All is gone, and lots of people have all been buried under huge rock boulders, while others could have been swept away down into Mozambique.
“The true origin of these rocks remains a mystery. Everybody is shocked. There are huge rock boulders all over. They mowed down the buildings such that you cannot even trace the foundations. There are rocks all over what used to be a vibrant growth point,” he said.
“A lot of people have lost their lives and those who survived, are hurting and are asking for help. As a church, we have at least 72 congregants who were carried away by the fury of the rivers. We have three rivers, Nyahode, Rusitu and Chipita that converge at this growth point, and the backlash was catastrophic,” said Rev Chazoita.
AFM president Reverend Amon Dubie Madawo and overseers Benson Katakwa, Smart Tetiwa, Johannes Nehanda and Ngwere visited the area on Tuesday with two 30 tonne trucks of aid sourced by church members and to console the congregants. More aid is still being mobilised locally and abroad.
Rev Madawo said the church can hardly grow if it turns a blind eye on the physical needs of Cyclone Idai victims.
“If the church fails to give, re-habilitate, re-establish and integrate the needy to lead normal lives, it hardly makes a positive impact. We have 72 members who cannot be accounted for, and we have to be very sensitive and respond in a manner that shows love and breathe hope and healing to the victims of Cyclone Idai in Chipinge and Chimanimani,” said Rev Madawo.
“Benevolence ministry has certainly become much more than a duty. It is unavoidable; the Bible commands it. We are looking at the food, cooking utensils, blankets, clothing and health needs of all the needy. If one needs cooking oil we should be able to give them exactly that, not the Bible. We have to address their specific food, health, rehabilitative and educational needs of the affected community,” said Rev Madawo.
AFM has also deployed social workers and pastors to offer psycho-social support to the victims.
Mrs Silvia Mutsokora (62), of Dzingire, said Kopa was full of houses.
“There was a sudden rolling of rocks towards the township, and it was all disaster. The rocks were coming from Nyahode river, and we were so devastated to see the rocks sitting over the whole settlement. There is no hope that those caught unawares are still alive. We are devastated and shattered by the magnitude of this tragedy. We are living in fear that the cyclone might come back. This is a really difficult moment for us. We are now scared of water,” said Mrs Mutsokora.
Mrs Susan Gezi said she had numerous relatives who have gone missing in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai.
“I have lost hope that they are all still alive. They were crushed and buried beneath the rock boulders. It’s a deep scare that will take years to heal, and this community is in dire need of counseling. We have situations where some lost everything, such ordeal difficult to accept,” said Mrs Gezi.
