A tragic incident in Zaka South has reignited calls for urgent reforms to Zimbabwe’s disaster preparedness systems, after two men lost their lives while awaiting rescue for nearly 12 hours.
Speaking in Parliament, Hon. Chiduwa urged the government to prioritise funding and resourcing of the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), particularly at district and provincial levels.
12 Hours Clinging to Survival
The incident occurred on 12 March 2026 along the Mutirikwi River, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were stranded after their makeshift boat capsized.
With no immediate rescue capacity at the district level, victims were left clinging to tree trunks and shrubs for close to 12 hours.
Two men, identified as Cliff Chikara and Brighton Rugwevera, died before help arrived, while the pregnant woman survived.
According to Hon. Chiduwa, the delay was caused by the lack of essential rescue equipment within the district Civil Protection Unit, forcing authorities to dispatch a specialised sub-aqua rescue team from Zvishavane, which cost critical time.
Poor Infrastructure Slowed Rescue Efforts
The situation was worsened by impassable roads, which delayed rescuers by an additional three hours.
This, the legislator noted, highlights ongoing challenges faced by RIDA, including limited machinery, inadequate funding, and slow road and bridge rehabilitation, all of which continue to hinder emergency response efforts.
A National Warning, Not a Local Tragedy
Hon. Chiduwa described the incident as more than an isolated tragedy, calling it a “national warning” about Zimbabwe’s readiness to respond to climate-induced disasters.
He warned that delayed responses are costing lives and stressed that institutions without adequate tools cannot effectively save people in emergencies.
With climate change increasing the frequency of floods and extreme weather events, pressure is mounting on governments to strengthen first-response systems at local levels.
Call for Investment in Disaster Preparedness
The legislator called for increased funding for district and provincial CPUs, the provision of essential rescue equipment, and stronger support for RIDA through improved access to machinery and financial resources to enable timely road and bridge rehabilitation.
He emphasised that investing in this critical infrastructure would significantly improve Zimbabwe’s ability to respond to climate-related disasters and protect lives.
Government Response: Focus on Communication Systems
Responding to the concerns, the Speaker of Parliament of Zimbabwe emphasised that coordination, rather than equipment alone, is a key gap in the current system.
He highlighted the need for widely publicised emergency hotlines and faster communication between districts and national authorities.
According to the Speaker, once alerts reach central command, military helicopters are ready to respond, as demonstrated during past disasters such as Cyclone Idai and flooding in Tsholotsho.
The Bigger Picture
The Zaka tragedy underscores a critical tension in Zimbabwe’s disaster response strategy: the balance between local capacity and national coordination.
While national resources may exist, delays at the local level, where disasters first strike, continue to cost lives.
As climate risks intensify, the question remains whether Zimbabwe can continue to rely on centralised response systems, or whether greater investment in local preparedness is now unavoidable.
