10/10/2026
Storm-Hit Masvingo Families Assured of Government Support
10 October 2026
By Tafara Pande
Edited by Godfrey Gusha
MASVINGO – Families whose homes were damaged by heavy rains and thunderstorms will receive assistance as authorities assess the destruction across Masvingo, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Hon Engineer Ezra Ruvai Chadzamira has said.
Speaking at Mucheke Hall ahead of the distribution of food hampers, Hon. Chadzamira said the Government, through the Civil Protection Department, was working to support affected households. He conveyed President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s solidarity with storm victims and urged communities to pray for protection as they recover.
The minister said initial assessments had identified damage to houses and schools. Homes roofed with asbestos sheets were among those most affected, he said. Teams would visit affected households and prepare bills of quantities to establish the scale of repairs needed and assess residents’ safety.
Minister Chadzamira stressed that relief would be distributed according to need.
“Everyone will receive hampers at their doorsteps. This food has no colour or creed; we are all one. Let us not politicise this assistance because these food hampers are meant to help people affected by the disaster,” he said.
For families facing damaged roofs and the immediate cost of recovery, the hampers offer short-term help while the household assessments establish what further support is required.
ZANU PF Masvingo Provincial Chairman Senator Robson Mavhenyengwa welcomed the response, thanking the President for declaring the situation a disaster. He also praised Minister Chadzamira’s provincial team for coordinating assistance and acknowledged Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe’s visit to see the damage firsthand.
“I want to assure you that the Government will do its best to ensure that its citizens are safe. We thank the President for responding to the challenges facing our province,” Mavhenyengwa said.
He said the food hampers would help strengthen household food security as affected families begin rebuilding their lives.
PHD Ministries founder Prophet Walter Magaya also visited Mucheke Hall to express solidarity with storm victims. He said he had travelled to Masvingo after learning of the destruction and pledged to assist affected communities through the provincial leadership.
“I do not have many words to say, but I came to Masvingo following the disaster that affected the people of this province,” Prophet Magaya told the gathering.
His pledge adds to the assistance being mobilised by the Government and other stakeholders. As distribution proceeds, the planned household visits will be a key step in identifying the families most in need and determining the extent of damage to their homes.
