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Boulders now sit where houses and a police camp used to be before Cyclone Idai hit Kopa Township, Zimbabwe. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UMNS.
By Eveline Chikwanah and Kudzai ChingweApril 2, 2019 | CHIMANIMANI, Zimbabwe (UMNS)
Geshem Makufa, 55, who remains at the Mutambara hospital (a United Methodist hospital), was swept away by floodwaters when the storm hit.
“I do not know how I came here, but all I remember is that it all started around 9 p.m. when I heard the cries of help from people and sounds like a roaring lion from the water bodies, which I later assumed was wind, water and rolling stones.
“I then decided to check what was happening and on stepping on the road, I was swept by the heavy current of water, which was accompanied by heavy stones and a lot of mud. For miles, the water forces rolled me, removing all my clothes until I was naked,” he said.
“During the process, something like a string twisted onto my wrist, which I grabbed to safety. With a faint voice, I cried for help until two people came to my rescue. The good Samaritans carried me to a room where victims were accommodated. I was bruised all over my body and was shivering because of cold,” Makufa said.
He thanked God for the good Samaritans who saved him and provided a fire to keep him warm.
