08/10/2026
*Government mobilises relief for 17 000 Masvingo households hit by storm*
The Government has intensified its emergency response in Masvingo following a devastating hailstorm, heavy rains and strong winds that affected the province on Monday, with an estimated 17 000 households affected.
The disaster prompted President Mnangagwa to declare a State of Disaster in the affected areas, allowing Civil Protection structures to strengthen search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Addressing the press after receiving submissions from the Working Party of the Cabinet Committee on Environment, Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Prevention and Management, Minister of Local Government and Public Works Hon Daniel Garwe said the disaster had affected homes, Government institutions, schools, businesses, livelihoods, infrastructure and electricity supply systems.
The hardest-hit sectors include shelter, education, agriculture, health, small and medium enterprises, energy, water, sanitation and social protection.
Preliminary assessments conducted on October 6 indicate that the extent of the damage in Masvingo urban is extensive.
About 8 500 houses reportedly had their roofs blown off or damaged, while more than 90 percent of an estimated 17 000 houses sustained shattered windowpanes.
The assessment further indicated that up to half of the houses in Masvingo urban could have sustained roof damage, although Government said the figures remain subject to verification as registration and assessments continue.
Civil Protection structures have embarked on rapid needs assessments and registration of affected households and institutions to ensure that assistance reaches those most in need.
Priority is being given to persons with disabilities, child-headed families, children, the elderly, the chronically ill and other vulnerable groups.
Government has already started mobilising and distributing humanitarian assistance, with the Departments of Civil Protection and Social Development dispatching the first consignment of food to Masvingo.
The food assistance is particularly targeting households whose food stocks were destroyed or contaminated during the disaster.
Humanitarian partners are also complementing Government efforts, with the Red Cross mobilising tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits and other non-food items.
As part of the emergency shelter response, Mucheke Hall and Rujeko Hall are being used as evacuation centres, while Building Brigade and other suitable facilities remain available where necessary.
Residents whose homes have been severely damaged have been urged to move to designated evacuation centres rather than remain in unsafe structures.
The storm also disrupted water supplies after damage to electricity infrastructure interrupted pumping operations at Bushmead Water Works.
Government and its partners are distributing aqua tablets, water buckets and hygiene supplies, while monitoring water quality to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
Masvingo City Council and ZINWA are also working to mobilise water bowsers where feasible, with boreholes providing an additional source of water to affected communities.
Several critical public institutions sustained extensive damage, including Masvingo Provincial Hospital, Masvingo Airport, Masvingo Teachers College, Masvingo Polytechnic, the Passport Office, ZEC Provincial Office, RIDA and the DDC’s Office.
Masvingo Provincial Hospital suffered roof damage affecting areas including the kitchen, intensive care unit, stores, maternity section, private ward, nurses’ home and casualty section.
Schools and6 infrastructure in other parts of the province, including Chivi and Gutu, were also affected.
The electricity network was also extensively damaged, with some power lines brought down. Preliminary estimates put damage to the ZESA network at about US$300 000, with the loss of electricity affecting water supplies and other essential services.
Government is now preparing to move from emergency response to recovery and reconstruction under the principle of “Build Back Better.”
Technical departments will participate in reconstructing and retrofitting damaged public infrastructure, while the private sector, development partners and other stakeholders have been urged to contribute construction equipment, materials, technical expertise and other resources.
The recovery effort will follow a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society Approach, with Government focusing resources on vulnerable households and critical infrastructure while supporting families able to participate in their own recovery.
Provincial and District Civil Protection structures remain activated, with the Provincial and District Command Centre based at Masvingo City Council.
Minister Garwe said Government’s immediate priorities were to save lives, provide emergency shelter and humanitarian assistance, restore essential services and protect vulnerable communities.
He also appealed to affected residents to cooperate with Civil Protection teams and local authorities and avoid entering structures declared unsafe.
“Government remains committed to ensuring that the people of Masvingo are supported through the emergency response, recovery and reconstruction phases until affected communities are able to rebuild their lives and livelihoods,” he said.
Chairperson of the Working Party, Engineer T Muguti, who is also the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, said more efforts were being put in place to ensure that all those affected received the necessary support.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo, Hon Ezra Chadzamira, Deputy Ministers from various ministries and senior Government officials.