A severe hailstorm that struck parts of Masvingo on Monday night damaged homes, vehicles and critical infrastructure, leaving some families without shelter and forcing Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) to postpone its graduation ceremony.
Masvingo Mayor Councillor Aleck Tabe said the storm caused extensive damage to residential properties, with roofs blown off and windows, windowpanes and sliding gates damaged.
Several vehicles also suffered damage to their windscreens, while solar panels and other household infrastructure were affected.
The city said some families were left with their homes exposed to the elements following the storm.
As part of its emergency response, the City of Masvingo opened Mucheke Hall and Rujeko Hall to accommodate affected families and provide temporary safe storage for furniture and other household belongings.
The city, together with the Masvingo District Civil Protection Unit, is assessing the extent of the damage and determining the immediate needs of affected residents.
“Several families have been left with their homes exposed to the elements tonight,” Tabe said in a statement.
The storm has also disrupted activities at Great Zimbabwe University, which announced the postponement of its 20th graduation ceremony.
The ceremony, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, will now be held on Friday, October 23, 2026.
The disruption comes as Zimbabwe experiences a period of unsettled weather, with the Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe’s weather report issued on Monday warning of thunderstorms in parts of the country.
The weather service forecast scattered thundershowers for northern parts of Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Harare Metropolitan and Mashonaland Central on Tuesday, with isolated showers that may be thundery in parts of Masvingo and other southern provinces.
For Wednesday, isolated thundershowers were forecast in Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Harare Metropolitan and Mashonaland Central, while isolated showers that may be thundery were expected in Masvingo, Matabeleland North and South, Midlands, Bulawayo Metropolitan and Mashonaland West.
The Meteorological Services Department urged members of the public to seek shelter indoors when thunderstorms occur and warned against taking shelter under trees or standing near tall objects and water bodies.
Residents have also been advised to ensure livestock is kept in safe places away from rivers and dams.
Meanwhile, Masvingo authorities have appealed to residents to remain calm, exercise caution and assist vulnerable members of the community, including children, elderly people and persons with disabilities, as damage assessments continue.
The city said further information would be released as assessments progress.
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