Harare, (New Ziana) – The hailstorm that struck Masvingo city has been declared a State of Disaster after the extreme weather caused extensive structural damage to residential areas, critical public utilities, educational and health institutions, and commercial establishments, necessitating immediate intervention to safeguard lives and support recovery.
More than 17,000 households were affected by the hailstorm on Monday.
Confirming the declaration on Tuesday, Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe said the declaration was made under Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act (Chapter 10:06).
“Following the catastrophic and severe hailstorm that struck Masvingo Province on the evening of Monday, 5 October 2026, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr Mnangagwa, has declared a State of Disaster within the affected areas.
“The extreme weather experienced inflicted extensive structural damage across residential areas, critical public utilities, education and health institutions, and commercial establishments, necessitating immediate interventions to safeguard lives and support recovery,” Garwe said.
He said preliminary reports indicated that approximately 8,500 households had their roofs completely blown off. Of the more than 17,000 households assessed, approximately 90 percent had sustained shattered windowpanes, leaving families exposed to the elements at the onset of the rainy season.
Garwe said severe disruptions had been recorded at major administrative and educational institutions, with key facilities that were severely affected including the Mucheke Campus of Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo Polytechnic, Masvingo Teachers College, Maud Muzenda Training Centre, the Passport Office, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), Chiefs Hall, the Veterinary Office, the District Development Coordinator’s Office, the ZIMRE Building, Masvingo Urban VTC, Runyararo Clinic Maternity Ward, Rujeko Hall, 4.1 Brigade, Masvingo Airport, and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Provincial Office.
He added that business operations in Masvingo City were severely disrupted after major retail and hospitality facilities sustained significant roof damage, causing extensive water leaks and asset damage.
“Electricity infrastructure has suffered a major blow, with Zesa power lines extensively damaged across the province. Widespread power outages have concurrently affected water pumping supply systems, municipal drainage infrastructure, and sewer networks, presenting an immediate public health risk that the Government is moving swiftly to contain.
“In view of this crisis, and to facilitate rapid relief operations, I have called for all Government agencies to join hands in assisting the affected communities. While the State is deploying all available resources, we make an urgent appeal to the private sector and partners to join hands with the Government,” the Minister said.
Garwe said the Government remained fully committed to ensuring that no person or community was left behind as it worked to rebuild affected areas and restore normalcy.
New Ziana
