By Beverly Bizeki
When Constable Linda Nyoni gave birth to triplets she was happy like any mother, but her joy was short-lived as one of the infants died in the first few days.
She was however comforted by the generosity of her colleagues, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Masvingo community who rallied around her to provide overwhelming support to her in her time of need.
The 33-year-old mom received donations on March 25, 2024, varying from groceries, kids’ clothing and feeding, two cot beds, a double pram, and a bed for the twins from the ZRP Masvingo Women Network with the support of their male counterparts.
Speaking at the handover of the gifts, Assistant Commissioner Florence Marume thanked the entire ZRP Masvingo community for standing by their colleague and vowed to continue providing support in raising the children.
“As ZRP Masvingo, we were glad to know that one of us gave birth to triplets and did not want you to worry about taking care of the kids hence we have brought all these things for you from groceries, diapers, cot beds, and even a bed for you as a thank you gift.
“We have also provided a nurse to assist you with taking care of the babies, once you come across any challenge she will be available to help. We are not doing this because you lack anything but just to show how grateful we are and for the world to see the unity and love reigning amongst us as ZRP,” said Marume.
Nyoni was also given accommodation at ZRP Zimuto Camp to afford a decent home for raising her babies without having to pay rent with the assistance of Officer Commanding Masvingo Province Commissioner Chrispen Charumbira.
“I also wish to extend my gratitude to Commissioner Charumbira who acted on very short notice and granted us our request for a house at the police camp for our colleague to stay with her children so that we ease the burden of paying rentals as she now has a bigger responsibility,” said Marume.
ZRP Women Network Masvingo Provincial Chairperson Chief Superintendent Senzeni Maphosa said the donation was part of the network’s nation-building and social responsibility key result area.
“As police officers, we are not limited to combating crime only but we also do corporate social responsibility. We have extended a hand to our fellow police officers to alleviate issues to do with initial parenthood. When a person is pregnant they rarely expect to have three or four kids at one go but our colleague was blessed with triplets hence as Women’s Network we had to chip in and mobilize resources to help her with the kids,” said Maphosa.
Thanking the ZRP community an emotional Andrew Mubatapasango, Nyoni’s husband encouraged the police to keep on the good work of supporting their fellow members.
“I am grateful to this community that has supported my wife throughout this journey from delivery of the children up until today. You have helped us even in burying the third one and providing us with accommodation as well as the gifts brought to us today,” said Mubatapasango.
Nyoni delivered her babies on February 22, 2024, at Masvingo General Hospital and lost the third one on day five due to some complications.
