Government has warned NGOs, development partners and private players against providing assistance to victims of the devastating hailstorm in Masvingo without official authorisation. The warning comes as authorities revise the number of affected households upwards to 17,000 and outline which residents will qualify for government support.
Muguti Says Hailstorm Relief Must Be Coordinated By Government
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, said all assistance for affected communities must be coordinated through district and provincial structures.
In a statement shared by TellZim News on Thursday, 8 October 2026, Muguti warned organisations and individuals against distributing aid without government direction.
“All aid must be coordinated at district and provincial level,” Muguti said, according to TellZim News.
The directive places local government structures at the centre of relief efforts following Monday’s hailstorm.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Local Government, Eng. Tafadzwa Muguti warned NGOs, development partners and private players against giving assistance to hailstorm victims without government directive. He said all aid must be coordinated at district and provincial level. https://t.co/phF8HCynRn
— TellZim News (@TellZimbabwe) October 8, 2026
Government Identifies Groups Eligible For Housing Assistance
Meanwhile, Muguti revised the number of households affected by the hailstorm from 13,000 to 17,000, according to The Mirror Masvingo’s report published on 8 October 2026.
The government, through the Civil Protection Unit, will prioritise vulnerable residents whose homes were damaged.
These include elderly people, orphans, child-headed households, social welfare beneficiaries and families able to demonstrate that they cannot afford to repair their houses.
Muguti also urged Masvingo City Council to establish an evacuation centre and strengthen its capacity to respond to flooding, rescue residents and protect property during evacuations.
What Happens Next?
With 17,000 households reportedly affected, the coordination of relief and the identification of vulnerable residents will be central to the government’s response. The authorities have not provided a detailed timeline for the assistance.
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