By Brighton Chiseva
ZAKA – A crisis is unfolding at Fumure Mine in Ward 27, Zaka South, where young girls are
being exposed to manipulation by artisanal miners, resulting in at least eight learners falling
pregnant and dropping out of school this term alone at Chiira (Musenyereki A) Secondary
School, with five more affected at Musenyereki B Secondary School.
The mine sits just a few kilometers from both schools, Chiira and Musenyereki B, making the
two institutions highly vulnerable to the predatory behaviour of miners who take advantage of
the proximity.
One Village Health Worker who spoke to TellZim News on condition of anonymity said eight
learners dropped out at Chiira Secondary School and five at Musenyereki B Secondary School
this term alone after falling pregnant.
“Eight learners dropped out after getting pregnant this term alone at Chiira and last time I
checked it was five at Musenyereki B,” said the source
The source said reports indicated that the learners were impregnated by miners operating at
Fumure Mine, and said urgent intervention was needed to ensure that Sexual and Reproductive
Health and Rights (SRHR) services were available, alongside campaigns to educate learners and
perpetrators.
The Village Health Workers said there was a need for various stakeholder engagements to
educate the learners, whom they said were being lured by the miners.
“We do several campaigns but they don’t heed to our calls, both the children and the
perpetrators. I think there is need for a new approach,” said the source.
Contacted for comment by TellZim News, Zaka District Schools Inspector Samson Chidzurira
said he was yet to receive a report of the learners leaving school.
“I am yet to receive a report on the matter; however, I will make enquiries to establish what is
happening there,” said Chidzurira.
Ward 27 Councillor Ernest Mandava confirmed the matter but said he was not sure of the exact
numbers, adding that it was worrisome. He said they had a meeting with the mine leadership and
urged them to also speak to their subordinates over the matter.
“We had a meeting today with the mine leadership and we urged them to talk to their employees
so that they avoid dating especially school children. Many are absconding school and spend time
with the mine workers and other illegal miners here,” said Mandava.
He said there were both formal mine workers and illegal miners in the area, and that they were
using money to lure school children at Zingwena Business Centre, a nearby trading point where
the girls would converge and be enticed with cash and other gifts.
He appealed to authorities to escalate awareness campaigns, saying they engage schools from
time to time but their voices were being ignored.
“We appeal to authorities to bring more awareness campaigns in the area. Maybe if they hear
new voices they would take heed. We are tired of raising awareness, but the situation is
escalating every day. So we think they need to hear new voices,” said Mandava.
He went on to say they were worried that some of the learners who were missing school would
have been beneficiaries of programmes like BEAM.
“Some parents are struggling to pay fees and other learners are orphans who are beneficiaries of
BEAM, but they are the ones who are involved in this,” he said.
The situation has been worsened by the fact that access to SRHR services for minors remains a
contentious issue in Zimbabwe, with health-related civil society organisations, including My Age
Africa, the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH), and others, having repeatedly called
for children below 18 to be allowed access to contraceptives and other SRHR services. Their
calls have, however, been stalled.
While it is illegal for minors to access certain SRHR services, the reality on the ground is that
young people are engaging in sexual activities, and the risk of pregnancy and school dropout is
high.
In rural areas, most parents, upon discovering that a child is pregnant, force them into marriage,
which is a bit different in towns.
Another Village Health Worker said condoms were now running out instantly and said at least
they were utilising them, which was why the number of pregnancies was still lower.
“At least most of them are using condoms. The uptake is high, and that is serving the situation. It
could have been worse,” said the VHW.
The VHW said condoms were placed at accessible places, making them available even to
minors.
“Condoms are placed at accessible places, so even the young ones can access them. We are
happy that at least they are using them,” Said the VHW.
The VH also said some parents were beginning to see the importance of allowing their children
to access SRH services, saying whether they allowed them access or not, they were still engaging
in sexual activities.
“Parents were not happy when it was lobbied that children less than 18 be given access to
contraceptives among other services, but now they agree. Some are now secretly coming to us to
enquire where they can get services for their children so that they complete school,” said the VH.
The situation at Fumure Mine reflects a broader national challenge, where the failure to provide
comprehensive SRHR services to adolescents, particularly in mining communities, is resulting in
unwanted pregnancies, school dropouts, and forced marriages.
While the law requires children to return to school after giving birth, the reality in rural areas is
that many are forced into marriages and never return to the classroom.
