By Bright Zhou
A 62-year-old disabled man living in the streets of Masvingo is appealing for assistance to get a new wheelchair as the one he is using is worn out, making it difficult for him to move around as he begs for a living.
He said he can also accept help in form of food and clothes but his major worry was on mobility.
Speaking with TellZim News, Shadreck Charubvuka said he became wheelchair bound in 2011 after one of his legs got amputated following an ailment that he suspected to have been caused by fellow workmates where he was working as a security guard.
“I grew up in Shurugwi and was later employed as a security guard at a security company called Security Partners and was transferred to Masvingo where I was posted at N.Richards Group, in 2001.
“In 2011, I started to develop some sores on my thigh, from the hip to the knee after I had a misunderstanding with workmates over duties and could not go to work,” said Charubvuka.
Charubvuka added that his manager said he could not continue working and gave him money to go to hospital which he did and after two months the doctors recommended an amputation.
He said after he lost his job, the company offered him US$45.00 per month for six months and that was not enough to cover his living costs. After six months he was told that the company could no longer pay him as he was not working
“After losing my job, the company offered me US$45.00 for only six months and then the manager told me the company was not going to give me the money while I was not working and that’s when I started struggling and everyone deserted me,” said Charubvuka.
Charubvuka said he received his first wheelchair in 2011 from his uncle who is in South Africa and his two daughters left for South Africa in 2013 and never looked back since then.
He said his wife died in an accident after the operation and all his relatives deserted him so he has nowhere to go.
“My wife passed away in an accident just after the operation and my two daughters left for South Africa in 2013 and never came back. I was booted out of my rented house in Mucheke over unpaid rent and no relative wanted to take me in.
“I desperately need a wheelchair as the one I have is difficult to push because the wheels are worn out. I am currently staying at Old Croco Motors terminus since 2013 and I use scavenge for used plastics and sacks to build shelter. It is difficult for me to go around begging for food and at times I go for days without a proper meal,” Charubvuka said.
