Zimbabwe hailstorm destroys churches, homes

Key points:

• Property, worth thousands of dollars, was destroyed by the hailstorm that tore off roofs, broke windows and flooded the buildings.
• One family whose home was destroyed sought shelter in their car, which was the safest place to sleep.
• Masvingo District is appealing for support to repair the sanctuaries, parsonages and homes that need rebuilding.

A fierce hailstorm swept through Masvingo town late afternoon Oct. 5, leaving a trail of destruction with United Methodist property and members’ homes among the severely damaged.

Zimbabwe’s Department of Civil Protection and public media reported that most households in Rujeko, Mucheke, Victoria Range and surrounding suburbs experienced losses, with roofs blown off, windows shattered, trees uprooted and property damaged.

The hailstorm — described as one of the worst weather events in recent memory — hit without warning, forcing residents to scramble for safety.

“I am about to retire from ministry; I have never seen this kind of storm my entire life,” said the Rev. Tendai Zimunya, 60, of St. Philip Masvingo United Methodist Church.

“The storm was sudden and violent. The hail pounded the roof like stones, and within minutes, water was inside the church,” said Anna Mudambi, the St. Philip caretaker. She was joined by church members to scoop the muddy water using plastic buckets.

The storm demolished seven United Methodist properties. At this point, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is reaching out to local church leaders to find out what they need.

At Rujeko United Methodist Church, the storm ripped off the roofing sheets and shattered all windows — allowing heavy rain, mud and hailstones to flood the sanctuary and leaving church benches submerged.

The pastor’s office also suffered extensive damages after hail smashed the windows and left the office exposed.

Church members said the Rujeko sanctuary cannot be used now as they fear for their safety and have no place for worship services until it is repaired.

In Zimbabwe, hailstorms are characterized by heavy rains accompanied by big solid balls of ice — hailstones. These caused destruction in the homes of several United Methodists.

Kuziva Stephen Makunike of Mucheke suburb said the storm was different from any his community had ever experienced.

“It was like a cyclone, and we heard all the windows breaking and our ceiling collapsed,” he said. “The asbestos roof was badly damaged and our house flooded. We found a safe space to shelter in the side of the house, which was not damaged.”

Affected homes were filled with debris from roofs and ceilings that collapsed, while furniture, bedding and household goods were soaked in water and covered with rubble.

The roof of Fungai Mutambara’s home was destroyed: “All rooms were flooded and we slept in the car. We are in pain and pray that God will help us to restore our house.”

Sophia Tafamba said the storm was fierce and frightened her. “The rains destroyed the whole roof, and the ceiling could not contain the water and collapsed,” she told UM News. “All my furniture was submerged. I do not have a place to sleep because all the windows were broken and the house is flooded.”

The experiences were similar to Loice Mukanho, who was thankful that no one was injured. She said northern-facing rooms were most affected after the roof and windows were destroyed by the storm.

“The whole house was flooded, and we slept on couches since all beds were soaked by the rain,” she said. “Only the lounge and the kitchen were spared from the storm.” 

Her family will be sleeping in these two rooms until they can repair the rest of the house.

Engineer Jacqueline Hlatshwayo, chair of the Masvingo District board of trustees, said the affected churches and families need support to repair and rebuild their properties.

“Let’s unite. We are one family,” Hlatshwayo said. “Let’s check on each other and help provide food, shelter, clothing, repairs and any other needs. We are our brother’s keeper and need to help each other.”

No injuries were recorded among church members, in line with official reports from the Civil Protection Department of no injuries citywide at the time of assessment, though assessments are still underway.

Meanwhile, reports from other parts of Masvingo District indicate that heavy rains also swept through Chiredzi, Gutu, Zvishavane and Zaka areas on the same night. However, unlike in Masvingo town, there were no incidents of infrastructure destruction.

“Masvingo District is in a devastated state after heavy storms struck on Oct. 5, leaving many families homeless,” said the Rev. Annie Zvingowaniseyi, superintendent.

“The most severely affected areas include Rujeko, Runyararo, Masvingo Circuit, Masvingo Inner City, District Office and Chiringadeure Mission School, where both the parsonages and church members’ homes suffered extensive damage,” she told UM News.

“We thank God for his divine protection, as no injuries or loss of life have been reported, despite the severity of the storm.

“We deeply appreciate our fellow brethren for your continued prayers and spiritual support. As we work toward recovery, we make an urgent appeal to everyone for assistance in cash or kind to aid those affected,” Zvingowaniseyi said.

Bishop Gift K. Machinga of the Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana Episcopal Area sent a message of hope and comfort to the affected churches and families.

“We extend our heartfelt solidarity, prayers and pastoral support to all those affected. To our clergy and their families who have experienced damage to their parsonages, and to our members whose homes and livelihoods may also have been affected, please know that you are not alone. The church stands with you in this difficult moment,” he said.

“We also extend our compassion beyond our congregations to the entire Masvingo community,” Machinga said. “Disasters such as this remind us that we are one human family, called to bear one another's burdens and to respond with compassion, generosity and practical care.”

Maunga is a communicator for Masvingo District in the Zimbabwe West Conference. Chikwanah is a UM News correspondent based in Harare, Zimbabwe.

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