By Staff Reporter
MASVINGO – Masvingo City councillors have called for a temporary halt to Operation
Chenesa, a national programme that seeks to remove illegal settlements and markets across the
country, to allow residents to recover from the devastating effects of the hailstorm that destroyed
homes across the city recently.
The matter was raised in the full council meeting where all councillors agreed that the operation
should be halted at least in Masvingo City to spare residents further pain.
Ward 2 Councillor Benson Hwata said people were still mourning the losses caused by the
hailstorm, so it would be cruel to add to their pain through demolitions.
“A disaster befell us, but there was a programme by the Minister of Local Government that was
meant to clean the city by demolishing illegal structures and make sure people go to designated
operating areas. It is my proposal that since our people are still recovering from the losses, why
don’t we spare the people in Masvingo only? We can’t have people mourning for hailstorm
losses then mourn again over demolitions because the areas we want to demolish are their
sources of income. I think the Minister can agree that they spare only Masvingo on this matter,”
said Hwata.
Ward 6 Councillor Wilstaff Sitemere concurred with Hwata, saying the government was for the
people and everyone knew the disaster that had befallen the city, so it was prudent to halt the
operations.
“The government is by the people and for the people, so everyone knows the disaster that befell
us. Through your leadership, the Mayor and Town Clerk, I think we should engage government
at the most senior level to halt this operation.
“We have people offering psychosocial support for people to have a better sleep, but the next
morning, the same person is asked to vacate their place of operating. They are busy fixing their
houses. We appeal for temporary relief,” said Sitemere.
Ward 10 Councillor Sengerayi Manyanga said there was no need for council to be hesitant
because the President had declared a state of national disaster, so that alone was enough for
council to halt Operation Chenesa.
“The President declared a state of national disaster, so if it’s a disaster, let’s wait until he
declares otherwise. However, other operations like the traffic situation should be maintained.
Your Worship, declare because everyone was affected, so we cannot demolish people’s houses
and operating areas for now,” said Manyanga.
Ward 9 Councillor Bernad Muchokwa weighed in and cited examples of other countries where
disasters had struck and councils had halted similar operations.
“As Masvingo, I think we should pause the demolition of structures because of the disaster. This
did not start in Zimbabwe; these things happen globally. In February 2023, Your Worship, three
cities in Turkey stopped demolitions after an earthquake. In 2010, all local authorities in Haiti
stopped demolitions after an earthquake. In Freetown, Sierra Leone, they suspended demolitions
after a landslide. In Metro Manila, Philippines, local authorities stopped demolitions because
there had been a typhoon. So here in Masvingo, let us pause for a while and redirect our
resources to assist people who have been affected,” said Muchokwa.
Masvingo City Mayor Alec Tabe concurred with the councillors and said there had been
engagements with local leadership, adding that the Minister would soon visit Masvingo and the
issue would be raised with him.
He said council should take advantage of the situation and regularize where possible instead of
merely demolishing structures, adding that council should focus on revenue generation and
demolitions would not raise any money.
“Instead of demolishing, we should consider regularization where possible. We have to ask
people to pay fines and produce plans for proper regularization so that council gets money,” said
Tabe.
Speaking to TellZim News, Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Association (MURRA)
Director Anoziva Muguti said they were in support of the council proposal and urged
government to help affected residents.
“As MURRA, we fully support the Councillors. The hailstorm has already left many families in
Masvingo homeless and traumatized. Carrying out demolitions now would be inhumane and a
double punishment. We urge Government to suspend all demolitions and instead focus on
helping affected residents to recover,” said Muguti.
He also thanked councilors for standing with the people during the difficult time, saying their
proposal was the most humane thing to do.
“We commend our Councillors for showing true leadership and standing with the people. Calling
for a stop to demolitions after the devastating hailstorm in Masvingo is the right, humane thing to
do. They have put residents first, and we fully support them,” said Muguti.
The hailstorm, which struck Masvingo on the night of October 5, 2026, was described as the
worst ever to hit the city, affecting over 13,000 households and more than 60,000 people. It
destroyed the new graduation arena at Great Zimbabwe University, forcing the postponement of
the university’s 20th graduation ceremony from October 7 to October 23.
It also damaged major institutions including N Richards, OK Zimbabwe, Ndarama High School,
Westview College, Masvingo Polytechnic, Gymkhana, Chevron Hotel and ZNFPC, while solar
panels and geysers were destroyed, chickens and rabbits killed, and vehicles damaged. The
President subsequently declared a state of national disaster.
