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Sanctions root cause of social conflicts: NPRC

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Sanctions root cause of social conflicts: NPRC

Thabiso Nxumalo

MASVINGO- The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) has blamed the western imposed sanctions for the increasing social conflicts in some of the country’s communities.
Speaking at the provincial peace committee meeting focusing on Preventive Dialogue engagements at Flamboyant Hotel, NPRC deputy chairperson Lillian Chigwedere accused organizations and individuals calling for sanctions for being peace saboteurs but applauded the general populace for showing resilience.
“Supporting and calling for illegal sanctions are in a big way promoting conflict through its effects that impoverish our communities. Zimbabweans have however shown immeasurable resilience as a people in the face of these sanctions,” said Chigwedere.
Chigwedere also added that communities around Zimbabwe have braved the challenging experiences by tirelessly working to improve the country’s economy.
“We have emerged stronger in the face of these seemingly overwhelming challenges and brick by brick, stone by stone we are building our economy which at 7.8% is among the fastest growing economies in the world,” added Chigwedere.
Also topical during the meeting was the issue of rise in domestic violence cases and murders recorded during the Covid-19 induced national lockdown where economic activities were tightened.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira also blamed the embargo and called upon NPRC commissioners to exercise their designated duties wholeheartedly.
“We stand against sanctions that are crippling our economy and furthermore call on all stakeholders for a peaceful Zimbabwe of all generations. I wish and trust that the Commissioners will fully execute their mandate,” said Chadzamira.
The NPRC is on a mission to visit all the ten provinces and preach the gospel of peace ahead of the upcoming 2023 general elections.
Recently, a Special United Nations Rapporteur on sanctions, Alen Douhan was in the country on a two weeks visit where she met political parties, civic society and other stakeholders to investigate the impact of sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Zanu PF misleading UN

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Zanu PF misleading UN

Mwari huyai vanhu venyu vatanga, they were quiet when Covid-19 was ravaging the country but now vadzokazve vaakuda kubira varombo. These man of the cloth mmm. Mapombi was baffled and stunned to hear the type of miracles and deliverances dzaakuitwa nana Fredy. This guy wema spiritual spectacles mmmm ayisarendi. I heard delivered a woman through poop, sure mukadzi mukuru kutodzikisa nekutonona kwakutoita pamberi pevanhu mmmm. Let’s be careful ladies and gentlemen, tikasangwarira these guys muchanzwa aakutengesawa kkkkk. It is not surprising to hear those selling anointed faeces kkkk. I thought akapedzwa nemuramba svina when they destroyed his church paya but mmm he doesn’t learn. Birai vanhu mari in other ways not humiliating us women like that puuu. Let us agree that she had stomach problems, but why posting that on social media, ma spiritual spectacles aisaona here zvizoitika zvekuti maimuendesawo somewhere private.
Anyway, let’s talk about better things tisiyane nana T-Freddy. Mapombi thinks this UN rapporteur was Alena uyu was misled chete, with these 2 weeks dzaakagara ange atoona how the ordinary people were being affected, why didn’t she come here at Chitima akazotaura neni woman to woman ndakamuudza chakonzera musoro kutema. I hear mafindings were announced during her meeting nana Biti meaning their input was not included kkkk. But at least she talked to you, what about us the ordinary vacho. I am not saying sanctions are not affecting the citizenry so get me right there maCdes, what I am saying is, pane zvimwe zvakasara zvaasina kuburitsa. She is right on the need for dialogue and the need to observe the rule of law. But pama sanctions apo mmm. Which criteria did she use to find the results, I qualitative or quantitative, is it Bodmas or Bomdas. Sanctions are hurting us yes but most of us cannot even explain how they’re being hurt. Tine kamwe kanhu katiri kuona katoziva tese kari kukonzeresa, its CORRUPTION. Yes, everyone knows that corruption is eating us alive but. Chete corruption yacho yava pese pese especially mumaNGOs umu mmmm, makaipa. Corruption is killing Zimbabwe varume lets not hide behind fingers, zvimwe zvese zvozouya later.
Sanctions should go yes but the challenge is that it’s not in our hands, if it was taingoti army kombai tirove kkkkk. Corruption and sanctions are almost similar but tikabata musiyano wazvo tobatsirika. Let’s stop corruption, we are not the only country with sanctions but others are doing so well under them. Let’s face the devil we all have the capacity to deal with. Even Nkosana Moyo said it, hanzi why putting energy on things that is beyond our control. Why majoring on sanctions which we have no capacity to remove. Let’s concentrate on corruption, nepotism. Those are the low hanging fruits which we can simply pluck off. Bureaucracy is another cancer which needs to be addressed, kutoona DA chaiko unoita kunge uchanzi apply first kkkk. Ndozviri kuuraya Nyika izvozvi not sanctions. But Why is Jonso talking about sanctions of late, I don’t trust that guy just like Mthuli.
But you guys from opposition, please stop kagame kenyu kekuti kana munhu asungwa over corruption and abuse of power charges then you go and represent them, after that you come to rallies and tell us that Zanu PF is corrupt. You are accessories in the corruption because we have wanted the likes of anaChombo nana Muzembi to be behind bars but they are out because of you.
I like the momentum ine Mukomana these days, that is encouraging, zvekuzoti aida kupfurwa nepfuti was it true or it was drama? I really don’t know, what I can only say to the youngman is that he has to continue moving around meeting people. It gives them hope which has been lost since 2018. However, I want to also advice the young man to make sure that they make structures kumaCell. Why not borrow a leaf from Chief Shumba’s song inonzi musangano wakasimbira kumaSero. I don’t agree with Zanu PF on many things but ine kamwe kakurongeka so which cannot be explained but it’s for their own good not the people. So, don’t misquote me, kurongeka kweZanu helps it to retain power, which is exactly what MDC is lacking. Kwedu kwanaChirimudombo nekwaMuchekayaora hakuna macell for MDC not even one. Even if you want to join, unotoshaya kuti wondoona ani sure? There are plenty of people who want to burn Zanu PF regalia but kwekupisira havana.
However, kana tazogara, let’s not be blinded by the crowds being pulled by the youngman paari kufamba because what is important is the result. 2023 will define. People are almost getting tired of promises dzekuti tiri kupinda musingapinde. Pulling crowds in streets does not translate into votes; the election is only won in the ballot, tichikura we used to say romance haina mwana. It’s important though and pulling crowds is a good sign but tikagumira ipapo Zanu PF will rule until madhongi amera nyanga as has been said by the Jenarari paRutenga apa, register to vote and stop mobbing Chamisa in the streets.
Speaking of Rutenga, Mapombi wanted to go there and see the factory yemukumbi which was being commissioned but she couldn’t afford. I just saw the SUV Convoy which brought Masvingo to a standstill nekureba kwayo. Mmmm others are living life maCdes isu tichirarama Upenyu kkkkkkk, imagine if we sell all those fuel guzzlers and replace them with light vehicles how many clinics will the government construct? I heard the mukumbi processing plant will also process oranges, water melons, tomatoes among other things during Mapfura offseason. That is good and we need more of these small factories in rural areas, but that is if it not ending at commissioning. This is what these guys are good at, commissioning things but that never kick off. Good policies but no implementation. Vision 2030 kkkk nothing is being done to achieve it. The funny party is most of these guys whom you hear talking about it do not even know what it means. A lot of Zanu PF members and supporters and other none supporters do not even know what an upper middle class economy is like but they shout it every day kkkkkk.
Before I go zvangu kunokanga maputi agu for lunch, I hope Zanu PF people will heed to the president’s call to make sure that Pfumvudza inputs are distributed on merit not on partisan grounds. I heard he told people in Mwenezi that all those who have dug makomba avo should get the inputs and ini ndikuidawo, I have a few holes here near Mucheke river.
Ko nhai Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri ari kupi, i hope she is well wherever kwaari, I am sure she now knows that Covid-19 has nothing to do with sanctions after all. Ko Mboko howfar, I hear Kasukuwere is planning something and I think Mboko is also in the game, Mboko imboko!!!!

Buffalo Range displacements: Residents live in fear

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Buffalo Range displacements: Residents live in fear

Emmaculate Mutonhori \ Rumbidzwai Muswera

CHIREDZI – Villagers in the Buffalo Range resettlement scheme in ward 29, Chiredzi North are currently living in fear of displacements as government is spearheading a 3000-hectare community irrigation scheme aimed at boosting wheat production in Zimbabwe.
The project is designed to benefit from the abundant water sources in Masvingo province.
Unlike government proposal to give a private contractor land to grow Lucerne in the Chilonga communal lands, the wheat production scheme on a massive scale of 3000 hectares is getting top priority.
It has been established that hundreds of families are likely to be displaced in that resettlement area without compensation, as they do not hold any title to the land in question.
White Munyenge, a Zanu PF Chiredzi North constituency aspirant who resides in ward 29 expressed bitterness over the project citing that villagers stand to lose and benefit nothing from the project since they do not own any land permits.
“We are not against the development which is being initiated by government but we have our fears that the government may not keep its promise of compensating us, rather we are calling for a written document with a signature from the District Administrator, Lands department and community leadership of the agreement of compensation from the government since we do not have land permits,” said Munyenge.
Ward 29 councilor, Kizwell Muvengi indicated that the irrigation scheme is a project aims at benefitting communities in wards 16, 27 and 29.
“This is a government funded project for the community and it is a pilot project which covers about 3000 hectares.
“Ward 29 villagers are going to benefit from this project and as promised by Minister of Agriculture, Honorable Masuku, the displaced people will be fully compensated and will be well taken care off,” said Muvengi.
A similar case happened in 2011 and 2012 when villagers of ward 29 were evicted from an area around Buffalo range airport by the government at district level in what was described as a crash programme but they received no compensation.
Efforts to contact Chiredzi North Member of Parliament Roy Bhila did not yield results as his cellphone went unanswered several times.
However Masvingo Provincial Development Coordinator Dr Jefter Sakupwapwanya denied such allegations saying government champions development.
“Government has proper planning for settlements where houses and fields are organized and people are given letters.
“President wants people to focus on development but people do not see that,” said Sakupanya.

Exposed hospital accountant fired

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Exposed hospital accountant fired

Brighton Chiseva 

Exposed Masvingo Provincial Hospital accounting assistant has been relieved of his duties after being found guilty of transferring revenue meant for the institution to his personal use.
On July 10, 2020, TellZim News published a story in which patients questioned why they were paying hospital fees into the accountant’s personal EcoCash account instead of the hospital’s account.
In a letter date August 6, 2021, Dr Eliah Zimbwa undersigned the dismissal of Semucle Ganyani detailing out misconduct charges.
“The grounds on which this determination is based are that you collected an undisclosed amount of money on behalf of Masvingo Provincial Hospital from clients and converted it to your personal use. This was revealed in the provincial weekly newspaper, TellZim News on July, 10, 2020,” read part of the dismissal letter.
The evidence presented shows that Ganyani received a certain amount of money from a client and used his personal ecocash number and he did not produce a receipt of the amount received, with the receipt book from the said period missing.
“From the evidence presented by the complainant (customer), you received money from a client and used your ecocash number and there is no evidence of receipt of the received money and the receipt book for the said period could not be found to ascertain if the payment in question was really receipted,” added the letter.
Ganyani failed to produce the Ecocash printout and bank statement to prove that the money he received was indeed swiped into the hospital account using his bankcard as he claimed.
“In addition, the complainant has a strong belief that you erred in that you failed to produce the ecocash printout and the bank statement to prove that the money received through your mobile phone was indeed swiped in the hospital account using your bank card,” added the letter.
The disciplinary authority found Ganyani guilty as charged after analysing and weighing the aggravated and mitigating factors surrounding the case.
“Having analysed the pertinent facts surrounding the case, I find you guilty as charged. I have carefully applied my mind and carefully considered the above and weighed the aggravating and mitigating factors to establish whether extenuating circumstances existed to justify lenience,” read the letter.
Ganyani was discharged from his duties with effect from the date of receiving the letter and was reminded that he can appeal against the determination within seven working days from the date of acknowledgement.

Insufficient funds hamper completion of MPH’s ICU and Renal Unit resuscitation

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Insufficient funds hamper completion of MPH’s ICU and Renal Unit resuscitation

Rutendo Chirume

Masvingo- Progress on construction works of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Masvingo Provincial Hospital has reportedly stalled due to lack of funds though the work was supposed to have been completed urgently to back up an overwhelmed Rujeko Covid-19 Isolation Centre.
The ICU ward whose construction started in January with promises that it was to be functional soon after to cater for Covid-19 patients is yet to be finished as a result of financial challenges while the renal unit as well is yet to be reestablished.
The twenty-one bed project is yet to be roofed.
Masvingo Provincial Covid-19 taskforce spokesperson Rogers Irimayi said that the structure could have been completed but donors who had pledged funding delayed the disbursement of funds thereby delaying the construction process.
“We are at the stage of putting touchups which include the ceiling, tankers and internal fittings. It is difficult to say when the project will be completed because the donors determine the pace but I believe the isolation center will be ready anytime soon and will be meant for severe Covid-19 patients,” Irimayi said.
Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Amadeus Shamhu said that he had no idea when the project will be complete because the public works department has that information.
“I know that works are in progress but I cannot comment on the time frame because Mr Muzite the managing engineer at the site has that information,” Dr Shamhu said.
Contacted for a comment during the time of publishing Muzite texted and said he was in a meeting.
There is only one Covid-19 isolation center in Masvingo at Rujeko clinic with a capacity of accommodating only six patients.
After being shut down due to lack of functioning machines, the Renal Unit is also still struggling to get back to working.
Dr Amadeus Shamhu said that he hoped that by now the unit could have been functioning but the process is been slowed down due to lack of sponsorship.
“The process has been slowed down due to donors who would have slowed down or withdrew the sponsorship so that means we will have to wait for another sponsor in order to continue,” said Shamhu.
Currently kidney patients in Masvingo seek treatment in town from private surgeries like Makurira Memorial Clinic.

Water crisis hits Mashava

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Water crisis hits Mashava

Melinda Kusemachibi

A burst water supply pipe has resulted in a crippling water shortage hitting hard on Mashava residents, sparking fears of likely disease outbreaks.
Residents have reportedly gone for a week without running water in all suburbs forcing residents to rely on unsafe sources thereby risking contracting water-borne diseases.
Ward 33 Councilor Tawanda Dube confirmed the water shortages saying Mashava residents have gone for a week now without running water.
“So far there is no solution in place to address the challenge as we do not have equipments. We had a meeting with the local authority on how best we can articulate the crisis,” noted Dube.
He also said most areas in Mashava have been affected by these water shortages.
“Temeraire Drive, Temeraire, Eastvale in ward 5 and King mine, Weston lee in ward 33, schools and hospitals are affected by water shortages which have affected learning activities in most schools,” said Dube.
Residents who spoke to TellZim News said water challenges have affected the area and they are in fear of water borne diseases.
“Water is life and we now fear water borne diseases in our communities. The local authority have to do something about this,” said resident who refused to be named.
Long queues have been the order of the day at the few boreholes drilled by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) though they were however condemned as unsafe for human usage.
Ward 5 Masvingo (RDC) Councilor Aleta Makomeke indicated that supply of water to these areas is catered for by the mine.
“I am sure the mine management especially the community service department are answerable to all water and sanitation issues for Temeraire and Eastvale suburbs can reflect on challenges they are facing to the water supply effect,” said Makomeke.
Makomeke also indicated that water shortage is not a new thing in Mashava.
“Water shortage in the entire Mashava area is not a new problem, intervention strategies have been put in place and it is still work in progress. This is the reason why government through the District Devolution Funds (DDF) supplied quite a number of water back up facilities in form of boreholes.
“In almost all ward 5 suburbs with the exception of Gaths Mine low and high density suburbs, other areas are under Great Zimbabwe University which is responsible for its tenants to access water,” said Makomeke.
Makomeke also added that boreholes were drilled in schools as back up facilities.
“Boreholes were sunk in schools as back up facilities for the institutions and communities. The other reason for installing these boreholes at schools was mainly for security reasons but the other wish is for all people from Temeraire and Eastvale communities to be free to get water from these water points,” added Makomeke.
Perennial water pipe bursts have been a major challenge in Masvingo province.

Zvishavane Businessman celebrates birthday with the needy

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Zvishavane Businessman celebrates birthday with the needy

Exsto Makunzva

Zvishavane businessperson Nyasha Mhazo decided to celebrate his 42nd birthday with the elderly at Jairos Jiri old people’s home on October 21.

Instead of throwing a party and receiving presents, Mhazo took his birthday as an opportunity to remember the needy and share with them whatever he could afford.

Coincidentally Mhazo shares the same birthday with his friend and Chivi businessperson Storneshed Chikambure popularly known as Huruyadzo.

The two donated groceries worth USD647-00 to the old people’s home. The groceries included mealie-meal, cooking oil, sugar among other items.

Nyasha Mhazo centre Hands over part of the groceries to Zvishavane Jairos Jiri Chairman Clinic Hlabano while Sarah Mhazo looks on

The event started at the local community radio station YaaFM where Mhazo where he also share the same birthday with coo-presenter Chishamiso Chigonde.

From YA FM a delegation of a few of the radio station staff, friends, relatives and Mhazo’s wife Sarah proceeded to Jairos Jiri centre where they had lunch with the elderly inmates. The lunch included packs chips and chicken from Chicken inn, drinks and a cake.

The inmates could not hide their joy as they enjoyed their meal.

Speaking to the Media on the side lines of the event, Mhazo almost broke down as he narrated how God raised him from humble beginnings to where he is now saying he was happy to celebrate his birthday in a different way for the first time in his life.

‘I feel very much happy to celebrate my life this way, something that I have learnt from my spiritual father prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa. He always celebrates his birthday with street children at City Sports Centre every year. Also considering my background, I saw it fit to give to the needy. Life was not that rosy for me when I was growing up. I did not even know where my father was. I grew up with my mother’s relatives and I remember very well after scoring four units at grade 7, the following year I had to repeat because the was no money for me to go for secondary education. However, that following year I went to stay with my sister and managed to go to Oravhi secondary school. On my first day at school I met a teacher by the name Chimuka who was new at the school and was coming from Cuba. After noticing my plight through my dressing but realising how intelligent I was, he volunteered to stay with me at the school and to pay for my school fees. After secondary education, I trained as a teacher and later did a degree in Music with Midlands State University (MSU). I then left teaching and started my own business together with my wife Sarah,” said Mhazo.

Nyasha and Sarah are the Directors of Nyasam Hardware and Nyasam Kitchenware located in Zvishavane. Mhazo says his background is the one that pushes him to share the little that he gets with others.

Jairos Jiri chairperson for Zvishavane Clinic Lawrence Hlabano said he was humbled by the gesture shown by Mhazo and his wife. ‘Am so humbled by the gesture shown by the Mhazo family. We accept this gift with much gratitude. Other people celebrate their birthdays with their immediate families and receive some gifts but this couple decided to do it with the needy and to give out gits instead. At times we even run short of Mealie meal and most of the basic needs but we thank God for this couple’, said Hlabano.

The couple promised to do more at the Home as this was just an eye opener.

Suspected lizard carrying Murehwa ‘sangoma’ nabbed

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Suspected lizard carrying Murehwa ‘sangoma’ nabbed

Melody Musuva

CHIREDZI- A suspected Sangoma from Murewa in Mashonaland East, Sadam Chakandiwana (29) was recently fined ZW$30 000 or serve two months in prison after being found guilty of moving animals without proper documentation by Chiredzi Magistrate Misheck Brian Munyaradzi for possessing a live monitor lizard at Chiredzi Bus terminus.
According to state papers, Chakandiwana was apprehended by members of the public on September 27, 2021, mainly touts at the bus terminus soon after disembarking from a bus from Ngundu.
Touts at the rank searched Chakandiwana after suspecting he had stolen a baby somewhere as the monitor lizard was making movements in his satchel.
The mob forcibly opened his satchel, found a large and breathing monitor lizard before taking him to a police base at the Old Bus terminus, where he argued that he wanted to use it for relish.
He was later found guilty for contravening Section 52, subsection 2 of the Criminal Law codification and reform act which incriminates removing animals or animal skins from place to place without papers and was fined ZW$30 000.
Tafuma Edwin Homera prosecuted.

Mwonzora’s party imploding

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Mwonzora’s party imploding

‘…I was never fired from MDC-T’

…Mwonzora spokesperson calls political violence mere theatrics for UN rapporteur

TellZim Reporter

Kudzanai Mashumba, who is at the centre of a violent incident that happened at the Media Centre in Harare recently has claimed that he was never fired by MDC-T and was told by Dr Thokozani Khupe to go and engage party President Douglas Mwonzora to air his grievances two weeks ago.
In videos that went viral on social media on October 21, Mashumba’s presser was disrupted by an angry mob that warned him against addressing journalists using the name of the party he was allegedly fired from.
On October 21, the Mwonzora led MDC-T distanced itself from Mashumba and said he was fired long back from being a party employee and his issue was at the labor court.
Mashumba however said he was never served with a termination letter by the party, saying employees at Harvest House were aggrieved by how they are being treated accusing Mwonzora of being responsible for running down operations at the party headquarters.
He alleged that he was instructed by Dr Khupe to go and engage Mwonzora on the salary issue, among others about two weeks ago, without success.
“I am the chief-of-protocol in the office of Dr Thokozani Khupe and my grievances are that as employees we are being treated like volunteers without contracts.
“I was never fired from MDC-T and I have been working in Dr Khupe’s office. Dr Khupe is the one who told me to go and engage Douglas Mwonzora to address how he was running Harvest House but I never got audience with him,” Mashumba said.
Contacted for comment, MDC-T Presidential Spokesperson Lloyd Damba said Mashumba was just performing theatrics, loosely referring to recent political events in Masvingo and Manicaland provinces where MDC Alliance is touring.
“Mashumba is part of the theatrics that are happening in the country and the drama that those who support him want to portray. We are aware of the meetings being held in private that are meant to derail our projects.
“He has long been fired from MDC and he has no right to speak for or on behalf of the party. He is not even chairperson of the Harvest House workers committee so he cannot speak for anyone,” Damba said.
He added that while he does not condone violence, he was waiting for the law to take its course if the case was reported, saying Mashumba was actually the one who beat up those who had confronted him during his speech.
Mashumba said he sustained some injuries from the fracas, and was admitted overnight at a private clinic as his ribs were injured.
“I was injured in the ribs and my doctor will produce a comprehensive report on the injuries that I sustained yesterday. I have reported the matter to police under CR Number 1593/1021.
“The person who assaulted me is Yvonne Musarurwa, and they also took my phone in a bid to see who was going to call me after the fracas. They were saying I was sent by Nelson Chamisa but that is very far from the truth,” Mashumba said.
Efforts to get a comment from Dr Khupe were fruitless as she was said to be out of the country.
Damba also dismissed allegations of political violence against MDC-A saying those were mere theatrics being performed mainly to influence the outcome of the visit by United Nations Special Rapporteur on Sanctions, Alena Douhan currently in the country and has met MDC-T party leaders.
“We do not entertain such kind of drama. Just because there is a visitor in the country then some people want to perform such kind of drama, to what end? We as a party are focusing on issues that benefit Zimbabweans and say no to these kind of silly theatrics,” Damba said.
Late last year Dr Khupe walked out of the MDC-T elective congress alleging electoral corruption by Mwonzora and his cronies, after which she was assaulted by alleged Mwonzora loyalists.

Traditional leaders committed to end child marriages

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Traditional leaders committed to end child marriages

Melinda Kusemachibi

Traditional leaders in Manicaland have reiterated their commitment in the fight against child marriages and gender based violence by out-lawing family practices like accepting bride prices.
Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs in Manicaland Provincial Chairperson Chief Chengeta Makumbe of Buhera whose district reportedly recorded the highest number of child marriage cases, GBV, and school drop outs indicated that upsurge in school drop outs has been attributed to child marriages, illegal gold mining activities and school fees challenges.
Speaking during a national symposium hosted by Simukai Child Protection Programme, Senator Chief Makumbe called for the banning of harmful cultural practices that perpetuate and reinforce early sexual debut, female genital mutilation, child marriage and teenage pregnancies.
“We are advocating for a revisit and upholding of laws that protect children especially girls from harmful traditional practices. We as chiefs commit ourselves to be ambassadors of ending child marriages and unsparingly use the social and public platforms to intensify campaigns,” said Makumbe.
The programme was done in partnership with Plan International through the 18+Project strengthening Civil Society to end child marriages in the regions of East and Southern Africa.
Chiefs Council president Fortune Charumbira highlighted that early child marriages, GBV are rising in most communities and they will advocate for customs that protect rights of children and victims of gender based violence.
“As chiefs we are against early child marriages in our communities and we urge people to defer against the odds of early child marriages and not to allow such kind of things in our communities,” said Charumbira.
Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Dr Sithembiso Nyoni said she is overwhelmed by traditional leaders’ gesture on committing themselves to fight child marriages.
“I am impressed that traditional Chiefs have committed to eradicate child marriages by joining the fight. You should carry on with the good work that was piloted in Manicaland and replicate the process in remaining provinces so as to fight child marriages in our country,” said Nyoni.
According to statistics recently availed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Buhera District had 263 school drop outs while Nyanga had 32 out of 980 cases recorded in Manicaland this year.
Cases of rising child marriages have seen more people joining the fight against the menace following the death of 15 year-old Anna Machaya while giving birth at a Johane Marange shrine in Bocha in July.

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