By Caroline Washaya Moyo
MASVINGO — President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has declared a State of Disaster in areas of Masvingo Province affected by the devastating hailstorm that struck on Monday evening, triggering an urgent Government-led response to widespread destruction of homes, public infrastructure and essential services.
The declaration, announced by Minister of Local Government and Public Works Hon Daniel Garwe, was made in terms of Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act [Chapter 10:06] and comes as authorities assess the scale of damage caused by the extreme weather.
The hailstorm left a trail of destruction across Masvingo, with preliminary assessments indicating that thousands of households have been severely affected and critical institutions damaged.
Approximately 8 500 households had their roofs completely blown off, while about 90 percent of the 17 000 households assessed suffered shattered windowpanes, leaving families exposed to the elements at the beginning of the rainy season.
The scale of the damage has also affected key public institutions, disrupting the delivery of essential services across the province.
Among the facilities reported to have sustained severe damage are Great Zimbabwe University’s Mucheke Campus, Masvingo Polytechnic, Masvingo Teachers College, Maud Muzenda Training Centre, the Passport Office, Grain Marketing Board, Chiefs Hall, Veterinary Office, District Development Coordinator’s Office, ZIMRE Building, Masvingo Urban Vocational Training Centre, Runyararo Clinic Maternity Ward, Rujeko Hall, 4.1 Brigade, Masvingo Airport and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Provincial Office.
The storm also disrupted business operations in Masvingo City, with major retail and hospitality establishments sustaining significant roof damage.
The damage has resulted in extensive water leakages and destruction of business assets, further threatening economic activity at a time when communities and businesses are preparing for the peak of the rainy season.
The province’s electricity infrastructure was also extensively damaged, with ZESA power lines affected across several areas.
The widespread power outages have had a knock-on effect on water pumping systems, municipal drainage infrastructure and sewer networks, raising concerns over public health and sanitation.
Government is now mobilising resources to address the immediate humanitarian and infrastructure needs arising from the disaster.
Minister Garwe said all Government agencies had been called upon to work together in the relief effort, while the private sector and development partners were being urged to complement Government interventions.
The declaration of a State of Disaster is expected to facilitate a coordinated and rapid response to the emergency, including assistance to affected households, restoration of critical infrastructure and the provision of essential services.
The Masvingo disaster comes as Zimbabwe enters the rainy season, underscoring the need for communities to remain alert to extreme weather events and for authorities to strengthen preparedness and rapid response mechanisms.
The destruction has also highlighted the vulnerability of public infrastructure, homes and businesses to increasingly severe weather events, placing renewed emphasis on disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure and effective early-warning systems.
Government has assured affected communities that assistance will be prioritised, with the overarching objective of restoring normalcy and ensuring that no affected person or community is left behind in the recovery process.
The latest development marks a significant escalation in the response to the Masvingo hailstorm, which has emerged as one of the most destructive weather events to hit the province in recent years.
