Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
ZAKA South legislator Clemence Chiduwa has called for urgent capacitation and resourcing of the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) at district and provincial levels to enhance their response to climate change-induced disasters.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday, MP Chiduwa raised concern following the death of two men, Cliff Chikara and Brighton Rugwevera, who were marooned after their makeshift boat capsized along Mutirikwi River, Masvingo, on March 12, 2026.
A pregnant woman, Chamauya Chimbikidzai, who was travelling with them, was later rescued.
The two men reportedly failed to get assistance after clinging to shrubs in the river for more than 12 hours following the incident.
“This unfortunate incident exposed the inability of the District Civil Protection Unit to respond timeously due to the lack of essential rescue equipment,” he said.
“The CPU at the national level had to dispatch a sub-aqua unit from Zvishavane to Zaka District. Regrettably, by the time assistance arrived, the victims had spent close to twelve hours clinging to tree trunks and shrubs.
“The victims had spent close to twelve hours clinging to tree trunks and shrubs. Sadly, we lost Cliff Chikara and Brighton Rugwevera while the pregnant woman Chamauya Chimbikidzai was rescued.
“To make matters worse, the sub-aqua unit from Zvishavane was further delayed by approximately three hours because of impassable roads. This also brought to the fore the challenges being faced by RIDA in rehabilitating roads promptly due to inadequate resources, limited machinery and insufficient funding.”
MP Chiduwa said the tragedy highlights the urgent need to strengthen disaster preparedness and response systems, particularly at district and provincial levels.
He described the deaths of Chikara and Rugwevera as a national warning, noting that similar situations were occurring in other districts.
“It reminds us that the disaster response delayed is disaster response denied. It reminds us that institutions without tools cannot save lives,” he said.
“I, therefore, strongly call for increased funding for district and provincial CPUs, provision of essential equipment, other emergency response tools, adequate resourcing of RIDA with the machinery and financial support necessary for timely road, bridge rehabilitation and maintenance.”
He said investment in critical infrastructure would strengthen national capacity to respond effectively to climate-related disasters and safeguard lives and infrastructure.
National Assembly Speaker Advocate Jacob Mudenda urged District Civil Protection Committees to coordinate with the National Disaster Committee and publicise hotlines that connect to the National Civil Disaster Organisation.
“The helicopters from the army are always ready to come in and they have done so in the past, especially during Cyclone Idai and also when there were floods in Tsholotsho,” he said.
“So, what we need to really push for is hotline availability to all districts, if not all wards, so that as soon as they experience that, they phone that hotline straight to headquarters and the army will react accordingly.”
