Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
A VIOLENT late-November rainstorm brought chaos to urban centres after flash floods were reported, resulting in families being displaced and damage to roads worsened.
Trees were toppled and damaging vehicles, homes and disrupted power supply in several suburbs, including Highfield, Mabelreign, Marlborough, Belvedere and Warren Park.
Local authorities worked for days to clear debris and restore essential services, but the aftermath has sparked a heated discussion about the councils’ responsibility in mitigating such risks.
Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Stanley Gama said the falling of trees during storms is generally classified as natural disasters as the occurrences were driven by extreme weather conditions that were beyond the control of council.
“The city wishes to clarify its position regarding incidents of trees falling during the current rainy season,” he said.
“Falling of trees during storms is generally classified as natural disasters as these occurrences are driven by extreme weather conditions that are beyond the control of council.
“In this regard, council is not liable for damages caused by trees that fall as a result of such natural force. However, the city remains committed to public ensuring public safety.”
Mr Gama said they have embarked on a robust tree management programme that included identifying and removing trees that pose a danger to residents, motorists and property.
“As part of this programme, the city is also replacing old or hazardous trees with more suitable species during this rainy season to maintain a healthy and safe urban forest.
“We encourage residents to report any trees they consider hazardous so that our teams can attend to them promptly,” he said.
However, environmental lawyers argued that councils have a duty to reduce such risks through proper tree management.
An environmental law specialist Ms Ruth Mupindu said local authorities are required to conduct inspections and remove hazardous trees.
“While the storm itself qualifies as a natural disaster, councils still have a responsibility to inspect, prune or remove hazardous trees,” she said.
Another environmental lawyer, Mr Tafara Dongo, said liability depends on whether reasonable preventative steps were taken.
“Calling the incident a natural disaster does not automatically exempt the council from liability. If there were known dangerous trees that had not been attended to, then the council could still be found negligent,” he said.
Residents are still dealing with the aftermath, with some households yet to have their power restored.
As the rainy season intensifies, local authorities have warned that similar incidents are likely to recur without improved tree inspection, early-warning communication and climate adaptation strategies.
