National
‘Disaster’, Binga’s Siabuwa Rural District Hospital heavily damaged by hailstorm
BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Siabuwa Rural District Hospital in Binga was on Tuesday heavily damaged by a hailstorm, leaving expecting mothers and other patients without appropriate shelter.
Binga district medical officer Simbarashe Manjengwa told VicFallsLive that the heavy rains hit the institution around 1PM.
“According to the report that I received this evening, the storm happened approximately around 1PM where waiting mothers’ shelters were completely destroyed by the raging winds together with admission wards and staff quarters,” Manjengwa said.
Manjengwa said although he had not received any reports of fatalities and injuries, the hospital’s furniture was severely damaged by the rains.
“Right now, our nurses have no shelter, and their personal belongings were destroyed after their quarters roofs were blown away,” he said.
“We will be sending some teams tomorrow morning (Wednesday) to do the damage assessment, but there was no report of any admitted patients, waiting mothers or our nursing staff being injured.
“We will then establish how many patients were there and how they managed to escape.”
The Meteorological Services Department has forecast heavy rains throughout the country beginning this week.
In February last year, Binga South constituency where the hospital is located was hit by flash floods that destroyed 215 households and displaced 967 people, 58 percent of them being children.
The disaster struck when the confluence of Simbwambwa, Sikande, Namapande and Manyenyengwa rivers was flooded following incessant rains.
According to the Civil Protection Unit director Nathan Nkomo, the families are yet to be relocated after the government pledged to build new homesteads for them.
In a recent interview with VicFallsLive, Nkomo said the government had only managed to build six of the 37 targeted houses although they were still at the roof level.
Nkomo said the government needs about $80 million to construct the homesteads.
BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Blessing Waison and Fortunate Chidzivo took top honors at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon yesterday, as Zimbabwean long-distance runners excelled at Africa’s most prestigious road race.
Econet General Manager – Marketing, Mrs Tariro Muchena (left), and Finance Director, Mr Chengeto Moyo, present the winner’s prize to men’s marathon champion, Blessing Waison, at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, while Victoria Falls Mayor, Mr Prince Moyo, looks on
The event, which featured athletes from over 40 countries, saw Waison storm to victory in the men’s full marathon, clocking 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 16 seconds. He narrowly beat decorated Olympian Isaac Mpofu in a thrilling duel that brought thousands of spectators to their feet.
Godwin Katakura followed closely in third, completing an all-Zimbabwean podium sweep in the 42.2km race. The trio’s success came with bigger rewards this year, after Econet Wireless doubled the total prize purse to $50,000.
Waison walked away with $3,000, while Mpofu and Katakura earned $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.
In the women’s marathon, Chidzivo delivered a commanding performance, clocking 2 hours and 42 minutes to claim another major title in her illustrious career. Ethel Pangiso and Phillipa Dube completed the women’s podium in second and third place, respectively.
Rising star Wayne Kabondo turned heads in the men’s 21km half marathon, overcoming a formidable field to finish in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds. Kabondo pocketed $1,500 for his efforts.
In the women’s 21km race, Caroline Mhandu crossed the line in 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 50 seconds, ahead of Miriam Sibanda and Melody Kaseke.
The marathon’s inclusive spirit was evident in the 18km Specially Abled Races, which saw uplifting performances across different categories. Godknows Hamadziripi claimed the men’s tricycle title, while Samson Muroyiwa won the handcycle event.
Among the women, Stella Jongwe triumphed in the handcycle race, and Ratidzo Tomu took first position in the tricycle category.
Organized by Econet Wireless in partnership with Wild Horizons, the 2025 edition drew over 5,000 participants and spectators from more than 40 countries. The marathon route, widely regarded as Africa’s most scenic, winds through game reserves and offers spectacular views of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.
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Beyond the races, this year’s event featured live music, traditional dance, health expos, and community wellness activities.
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