Story by Gay Matambo
GOVERNMENT has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging catastrophic flooding in Chipinge District, describing them as misleading and unfounded.
The clarification follows the circulation of viral videos and audio clips claiming that major rivers in Manicaland Province had burst their banks, leaving residential areas submerged.
Permanent Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Abiot Maronge, said although the province has received heavy rainfall in recent days, there have been no confirmed cases of flooding in Chipinge.
He urged members of the public to rely on verified updates from the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and the Meteorological Services Department, warning that unverified content shared online risks causing unnecessary panic among communities.
“I would like to denounce the videos circulating on social media claiming that there are floods in Manicaland, particularly in Chipinge. It has been raining, but we have no reports of flooding,” Mr Maronge said.
He added that in Mahenye, a family of 10 living near the Save River had not been affected by flooding, despite claims to the contrary on social media.
“In the case of Mahenye, there is a family of 10 that resides near the banks of the Save River and it is not in danger. Yes, they may have been marooned, but they are not in danger,” he said.
Mr Maronge said authorities had attempted to evacuate the family as a precautionary measure, but they had declined to relocate.
Government continues to monitor rainfall patterns across the province and has reiterated calls for the public to verify information through official channels to avoid the spread of misinformation during the rainy season.
