Tempers flare as floods ravage homes

By Gift Ngandu

Tempers are running high among residents of Mazabuka’s Kabobola and Zambia townships as floodwaters ravage residents’ living rooms and bedrooms.

Reconstruction work on a bridge designed to ease mobility and mitigate the flow of water was earmarked for completion before the start of current rains.

However, work on the bridge has stalled leading to it being washed away during recent downpours, with residents heaping blame on the contractor, Asphalt Roads Zambia (ARZ).

Collins Maila, a senior official of the governing United Party for National Development (UPND) in Mazabuka district has meanwhile questioned the proactiveness of civic leaders following recent heavy downpours that left several households flooded and damaged.

Maila expressed concern that the contractor working on township roads in the affected areas had enough time to address the long-standing drainage challenges but had made little progress.

He said the failure to act earlier resulted in floodwaters destroying household property following the recent torrential rainfall.

He urged district leaders to act swiftly and ensure that the contractor

implements corrective measures to protect residents from recurring disaster.

While residents grappled with damage to property, district authorities moved quickly in to address the situation.

Mazabuka municipal council assistant public relations manager Caroline Simumba announced that the council has engaged ARZ to discuss the growing concerns.

A high-level meeting was held on 21st November 2025, chaired by mayor Vincent Lilanda and attended by the town clerk, ward councillors, the road consultant, and ARZ representatives.

Discussions centred on worsening flooding in areas such as Mazabuka Girls Road, Chachacha

Road, and Zambia Compound – problems attributed to ongoing road construction works.

The meeting concluded with several key resolutions aimed at mitigating further damage.

A major directive requires ARZ to suspend any new works and instead channel efforts toward correcting challenges in areas already under construction.

The contractor also agreed to urgently repair damaged roads, a responsibility provided for within the contract.

“Today’s meeting underscores our commitment to safeguard our residents and improve infrastructure resilience,” said Mayor Lilanda.

“We recognize the urgency of addressing these flooding concerns and are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.”

He further clarified that the road project is a central government initiative, with the Mazabuka municipal council serving as a third-party overseer.

The council has since submitted its observations and recommendations to the relevant authorities.

In response to the suffering experienced by families affected by the floods, Mazabuka Central member of parliament Garry Nkombo, delivered relief aid to Zambia Compound and Airstrip on 22^nd November.

The donation, made through the Garry Nkombo Foundation, included 25 kg bags of mealie meal, 29 blankets, and K3,400 in cash to help affected households

recover.

Nkombo said that the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) would soon assess the affected areas and offer further support.

One of the affected residents, Brenda Mwanza of Airstrip Compound, expressed gratitude for the relief given but appealed for additional help, particularly funds to replace household items lost in the floods.

“We are grateful to our MP for the support but this is not enough. We also need more money and other food stuffs as they were washed away in the floods. We are calling on well-wishers to help us”she said.

As the rainy season intensifies, residents remain hopeful that the measures taken by civic leaders and contractors will prevent further destruction and enhance safety in the most vulnerable areas of Mazabuka.Produced by Mazabuka FM reporters, this story was edited and fact-checked by Makanday as part of an investigative training collaboration with Maz FM.