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Councillors accuse Public works department of failing council

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Councillors accuse Public works department of failing council

Emmanuel Chitsika

Masvingo urban councillors have said City Council’s public works and planning department is failing the local authority judging by the manner they handle works in particular the drainage systems in and around the city.
Ward 7 Cllr Richard Musekiwa said the committee seems to neglect its duties which has led to residents making noise in the commonage especially this rainy season as water spills into their properties.
“Residents are not happy at all in the commonage. I challenge the public works committee to put in place a plan that would address the matter. You are failing this city as a committee.
“Right now the rainy season is underway but the chairperson of the public works committee says they would fix the issues next year, where will the running water go during this season if not into residents’ properties.
“The situation is still normal as Masvingo has not yet received more rainfall that can disturb us from fixing such small issues. What if we are to receive more rains, a crisis is looming for the city,” said Musekiwa.
Zanu PF ward 10 councillor Sengerayi Manyanga who chairs the public works committee defended the department saying they have shelved the works for the year 2023 as they do not have suitable equipment to do their work during this current season.
“We have set our routine maintenance work for the year 2023 as we cannot work during this rainy season. Next year after this wet spell, we will resume works and update council on our progress. Right now as Masvingo city, we lack enough resources and equipment to do so. The people we contract to do the work are cheaper contractors who do not have equipment that allows them to work during such a period.
“We do not have the necessary equipment to help us work during this rainy season like those contractors working on Harare- Beitbridge highway who have suitable equipment that enables them to work during the rainy season.
“As a department, we are facing challenges of say siltation as a result of sand being carried by running water from areas planted by stream bank farmers and that hinders progress,” Manyanga said.
Musekiwa’s sentiments were echoed by Ward 4 councillor Alec Tabe who said it was meaningless to let the drainages that were recently opened at residents and rate payers’ expenses close again and re-open them next year before the process of lining.
“The public works committee is not doing any justice towards this matter considering the time this issue was raised. We have discussed this matter on a number of occasions but surprisingly no action has been taken.
“The issue of fixing drainages started long back before the rainy season but virtually nothing was done to that effect. I don’t think these rains may hinder paving of these drainages. The only challenge we have as council is that we want to do ‘double dipping’. We took finances from rate payers’ money and paid the contract workers who opened the drainages and we are facing a situation where would pay them again for the same job instead of finishing those works once and for all. That way we can save resources,” said Tabe.
Mayor Collen Maboke also urged the committee to address the issue as stagnant water presents a health hazard to residents.

Research body encourages use of tech to enhance welfare of special needs children

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Research body encourages use of tech to enhance welfare of special needs children

Tinaani Nyabereka

Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) Board Chairperson Professor Zororo Muranda has called for the community to adopt new technologies to influence policies which cater for the welfare of children living disabilities.
He said this while addressing various stakeholders at the RCZ, UNICEF and Midlands State University (MSU) conference on building resilience on children with disabilities in Zimbabwe in Gweru on November 30.
Muranda highlighted that research and development was key in driving the nation in line with the National Development Strategy 1.
“There exists a responsibility to enhance the welfare of citizens, to further national progress, and enable the perpetuation of justice and promotion of the rights of children with disabilities in all nations including Zimbabwe.
“For Zimbabwe to be able to develop sustainable solutions to pressing developmental challenges faced, particularly by children with disabilities, there is need to support research for innovation and make use of dynamic new technologies to influence national policy. The nation’s ability to generate solutions and adapt to outside technical knowledge for the local environment is encapsulated within the status of the research ecosystem of the country.
“In pursuit of the national vision 2030 which seeks to attain an upper-middle economy through the National Development Strategy 1 (NDSI), research and development play a critical role in the attainment of this national agenda. This conference is a positive step in the right direction towards this big national goal,” he said.
Prof Muranda however commended the partnership between UNICEF and MSU in promoting research.
“I want to commit that as the Apex Statutory Body for research in Zimbabwe, RCZ will identify some papers at this conference that we will recommend for national funding. It is vital that key actors in research together strive for a healthy research ecosystem.
“Zimbabwe as a nation faces challenges in reaching this goal as witnessed by vast deficiencies in researcher populations, poor adoption of new age information systems to support research effort; delayed democratization of the information and research process; wariness toward the multidisciplinary approach to research and the disconnection between policy, academia and funders of research in pursuing research for national development.
“RCZ is open to work with industry and the academia in creating a space where contract research becomes central innovation by all sectors of the economy. Therefore, all institutions and individuals involved in research activities in one way or the other are mandated by the Research Act to register with the RCZ,” he said.
Academic research remains a key priority as it enshrines fundamental principles for the well-being of all persons, which is of great national priority.
The RCZ is the apex council with an oversight role on all research activities in Zimbabwe. The role of the council in the research ecosystem of the nation is clearly articulated by the Research Act [Chapter 10:22].
RCZ carries the responsibility of the mandate to promote, direct, supervise, and coordinate research in Zimbabwe. RCZ plays a role of a catalyst, having identified broad areas of concern, it consults and brings together relevant experts to define a programme of work and seek out sources of funds.

Manicaland open tourney ends on high note

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Manicaland open tourney ends on high note

Branton Matondo

Mutare-Manicaland open table tennis championships held from November 26-27 concluded on a high note as teams from various provinces across the country converged at Mutare Girls High School.
Manicaland and Mashonaland East provinces took the better share of wins on various clusters ranging from under 10 to 21 in both male and female categories.
Manicaland Table Tennis Association (MTTA) Technical Director William Machacha told TellZim News that the tournament is nationally recognized and it was a good platform for regular and upcoming talent to showcase their talent.
“Manicaland open tournament is one of the national tournaments on our national calendar where by Manicaland based athletes play other players from different provinces,” he said.
Machacha who is also the current Zimbabwe Table Tennis junior national team coach was delighted by the performances displayed by youngsters.
“As a coach, this tournament was very important to me because it was big and attracted a lot of players from outside. I am the current Zimbabwe Table Tennis junior national team coach and I was very happy with my players, they played very well,” added Machacha.
An attempt to contact tournament organiser Manicaland Table Tennis Association (MTTA) Chairperson Murenje was fruitless until time of writing.
In the girls’ under 10 group, Nyasha Ganyekanye (Manicaland) took gold with Talia Mahachi (Mashonaland East) and Adriel Kafikira (Manicaland) scooping silver and bronze respectively.
Mashonaland East proved too tough to beat in the under 10 boys group with all top three positions going to Kudzai Goremushandu, Tamutenda Mugadza and Teman Ngwenya from that province.
Anotidaishe Shumba (Manicaland) finished second and was the only top three finisher in the under 12 girls where Mashonaland East’s talent Tawananyasha Chirovamaya came out tops while Victoria Aaron (Mashonaland East) was in third position.
13 year old Trust Madoro who has 39 medals so far under his name proved too good to beat in the under 16 boys group. He overcame Kupakwashe Samu (Mashonaland East) while Benjie Kaswa settled for third position.
It was an all Manicaland cast in under 18 girls group as Shamiso Ngofana came out tops of fellow competitors Hilda Mupandasekwa and Natalie Khane.
Harare province which was largely represented by University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students took charge of open ladies.
UZ representative Gamuchirayi Shumba eased past Vimbai Makuwaza (Manicaland) while Courtney Mutsetsepa held third position.
It was battle of Mashonaland East and Harare in the men’s open as Tinotenda Fambira (Mashonaland East) got top honours ahead of second placed Tatenda Mumvuma and Brian Chamboko all from Harare.
The tournament was guided by International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rules and regulations.
Top three players received prize money, medal and certificates.
People with disabilities were also part of the tournament to cater for inclusivity.
Zimbabwe table tennis faces serious sponsorship issues and shortage of exposure a feat that has seen most talent going down the drain.

Nemamwa primary recognizes, rewards excellence

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Nemamwa primary recognizes, rewards excellence

Beverly Bizeki

It was a colorful day at Nemamwa Primary School on November 25, as learners and members of staff were awarded for excellence in academics and other disciplines.
Alfred Mombo the guest of honour urged parents, learners and teachers to embark on collective work for the success of the school.
“I urge you parents to ensure that your children are not left isolated from other learners by way of attending school with no books, no pencil, long hair and other misplacements which make them feel inferior.
“Create a pro-learning environment for your children to give the head and staff a chance to progressively play around with their minds to transform them into better people,” said Mombo.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Schools Inspector Otilia Maramwidze representing Masvingo District Schools Inspector Ishmael Chigaba also urged parents to contribute positively to the development of the school for children to be able to participate in competence based learning.
Learners were rewarded in academia for most of the key subjects as well as the recognizing the most improved students, smartest, early comers as well as well behaved.
Teachers were also awarded for their hard work as well while school prefects were also honored.
The school experienced higher learner absenteeism which the head teacher Shadreck Mhuru bemoaned.
Councillor Mudamburanwa together with the guest of honour and junior department teacher in charge Kupairima volunteered to pay fees for some of the outstanding kids at the school.
Some of the outstanding kids who bagged most of the awards include Valerie Zibwowa, Jennifer Charutsa Samuel Rwodzi to mention but a few.

Manicaland fish farmers take maggot farming by storm

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Manicaland fish farmers take maggot farming by storm

Branton Matondo

The rise in demand for fish feed fuelled by the need to replace high protein fish meal with convenient, low cost feed has taken centre stage among farmers in Mutasa constituency in Manicaland province who have now taken maggot farming by storm.
The ‘black soldier fly’ which tracks its roots to South America and Kenya is being reared by farmers in Mutasa constituency in an attempt to produce maggots with 45 to 60 percent protein.
Expensive fish feed has downplayed high productivity as producers find it difficult to venture in a competitive protein market.
The single pilot project of maggot farming for fish feed purposes in Zimbabwe is stationed at Haggai farm in Mutasa.
Haggai farm manager Godfrey Chironda told TellZim News that maggot farming is the best alternative to expensive imported fish meal.
“The biggest cost in rearing livestock be it fish or cattle is feed. Maggot farming is the best alternative because it requires less operating costs but effective protein output,” said Chironda.
Commenting on the black soldier fly, Chironda said it produces high protein levels that can compete with imported fish feed.
“Black soldier fly larvae have higher protein content than fish feed made from soya beans. It’s a full package because you produce it on low expenditure yet enjoying high protein output. In terms of feeding we use kitchen waste, brew (masese) or compost to come up with high value feed,” he added.
Zimbabwe Fish Producers Association (ZFPA) chairperson Garikayi Munatsirei said the country is experiencing shortage of soya beans which is the chief ingredient of fish feed hence the need to venture into such projects.
“Reports show that soya output has been lowm, that in itself has weighed in on the production of fish feed. Such projects should be embraced entirely,” said Munatsirei.
Despite encountering a series of challenges Chironda advised fellow farmers in Manicaland to embrace this project considering that it’s low in expenditure but high in output.
“From January we encountered weather condition challenges. Drop of temperatures affects cycles of larvae, setting up resources was also a difficult feat for us but now we have a bigger shed and our knowhow has expanded. We encourage other farmers in the region, especially youth farmers to take up this project because fish farming is expanding at the moment,” he added.
Just like other growing fish farmers in Mutasa constituency, Haggai farm plans to venture into fish farming using maggot feed.
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Zimbabwe graced the project at Haggai farm citing the need for fish farmers and fish farming organizations to expand this project.
Fish4ACP Programme Management Unit Focal Person for Zimbabwe, Ms Yaiza Dronkers said FAO will evaluate progress on the projects come next year.
“Come January 8 next year, we will evaluate the progress of the project and give you feedback. The project is already being used for poultry purposes but for fish this is the pilot project in Zimbabwe,” said Dronkers.

Lodge robbed of cash, valuables

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Lodge robbed of cash, valuables

Yeukai Munetsi

Kwekwe-Two armed robbers stormed a Kwekwe lodge and got away with US$ 115 cash, two cell phones and a Wi-Fi router.
The incident occurred at Wakefield Lodges in Chicago Kwekwe on November 24, 2022 at 1900 hours.
It is reported that on the day mentioned above, the complainant Josephine Shekede an employee was on duty at her work place as a waitress when the two accused persons approached her pretending to be clients who needed overnight accommodation.
As the complainant was attending to the suspects, one of them pulled out an unidentified object from his waist threatening the complainant.
He then demanded money and all her valuables.
Shekede went to her room and took cash amounting to US$ 115, a G-tel Infinity cell phone, an Itel cell phone and handed them to the accused persons.
The accused persons further took a Wi-Fi router and remote control from the unmanned guard room before fleeing the scene.
Acting Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Fungai Ngawagare confirmed the incident and has since appealed to the public on the whereabouts of the suspects.

“Police are appealing to members of the public who may be in possession of any information which may assist with the arrest of the suspects to approach any nearest police station,” said Ngawagare.

Agric 4she to empower women in Masvingo

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Agric 4she to empower women in Masvingo

Andrew Zhou

Masvingo-The recently launched Agric 4she programme by Zimbabwe’s first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa is set to empower women in Masvingo province through various agricultural activities such as crop farming, livestock rearing, horticulture and fisheries.
Officially speaking on behalf of Mnangagwa during the Agric 4She Masvingo edition launch at Rujeko Secondary on November 30, 2022, Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank (ZWMB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Mandas Marikanda said the programme will be launched in all the country’s 10 provinces to ensure all women are empowered.
Women are 52percent of the country’s population hence the need to support them with agricultural inputs to attain vision 2030.
‘‘I am launching this programme in all the ten provinces of Zimbabwe to ensure that no woman is left behind. The recent census indicated that about 52% of the national population is women. It is in this regard that these women need enough support to steer the agricultural sector towards an upper middle income economy by 2030,’’ Dr Marikanda said.
He further said under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) blueprint Agricultural and Food Systems Transformation Strategy, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries Water and Rural Development should ensure crop and livestock production and sufficiency through participation of women is realized.
‘‘Under NDS 1 blueprint Agricultural and Food Systems Transformation Strategy, the ministry will ensure crop and livestock production and sufficiency through participation of women in rural communities,’’ added Dr Marikanda.
Speaking during the same event Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira urged women to use the provided inputs wisely and not to always depend on men.
‘‘The mother is the owner of the house, she is the one who cares for children so this programme will empower women in supporting their families, all women should not wait for husbands to support but to work hard and use the agricultural inputs wisely,’’ Chadzamira said.
ZANU PF Women’s League Chairperson Alginia Mhlanga appealed for the awarding of certificates to women who participated in courses like nurse aid, sign language, food and nutrition as well as tailoring courses offered by Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) upon request by Mnangagwa.
‘‘All seven districts in Masvingo province did the ZOU programmes but the certificates are taking so long to be given to the students,’’ said Mhlanga.
The Agric 4She will address issues such as production across all sectors of agriculture, post-harvest processing techniques, value addition and storage, increased social, rural, and urban agricultural infrastructure, access to finance and financial literacy training, access to agricultural inputs, technology and extension, links to established agricultural markets, access to agricultural business development skills and information and assistance in forming and strengthening women’s agricultural groups.
The Agric 4She programme will be supported by other programmes such as Pfumvudza 4She, Neap 4She, and Horticulture 4She livestock 4She, Fisheries 4She, Mechanization 4She, Irrigation 4She and Veterinary 4She.

Zanu PF Zaka DCC on fire

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Zanu PF Zaka DCC on fire

…as Svuure, Marapira clash over input distribution
… CCC distributes to own members

Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – Zanu PF’ Zaka District Coordinating Committee (DCC) recently clashed with one of the district central committee member and deputy minister of agriculture Davies Marapira over presidential inputs distribution.
Most Zaka DCC members were complaining that the district’s Grain Marketing Board (GMB) management was overshadowing party officials when it comes to the distribution of inputs.
In a leaked WhatsApp conversation from Zaka DCC, the committee vice chairperson Davison Svuure who is reportedly going to lock horns in Zaka Central with Marapira in primary elections said while it was noble idea for government departments to do the distribution, they were supposed to do it in sync with Zanu PF leadership.
“My honest opinion on the inputs distribution issue is that, while the participating government department who are also the main players, GMB and Agritex, should be allowed to do their work, it is important to note that their work must also be coherent and be in sync with the aspirations of the party. What do we want to achieve as a party after government officials have done their work, is what should continuously ring in our minds.
“There are complaints coming from various wards where party leadership has been relegated to mere bystanders while the government officials with the powers so vested in them, wantonly distribute inputs in a manner which leaves the party exposed and I don’t read that as what Cabinet intended,” read the message sent by Svuure.
He went on to tell Marapira, who had promised to come on the ground, that apart from being on the ground he should also listen to reports presented to him by the party members.
“I recommend that, apart from observations from physical visits, let’s also take as equally important reports that come from the various wards, where none of us here is able to be, all the time.
“At the end of the day, we need to strike a delicate balance between allowing vashandi ve Hurumende (civil servants) kuti vaite basa ravo (to do their work) and on the other hand kuona (to see) its implications to the party, especially this season which precedes elections,” he added.
Svuure went on to say Zanu PF was facing a big threat from Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in the district whose party members were countering Zanu PF and distributing maize seed to people.
“Only yesterday there was a group of CCC people in full yellow and in broad day light, were teasing Zanu PF members, including the District chair kuti ‘rwendo runo makaura ,muchawana mbeu kana isu tadzokorora’. I’m aware a report on this has been taken to the relevant party structures. I did receive it. They were boasting because in this particular ward, all known CCC members were given inputs ahead of party (Zanu PF) members, even ahead of the district chair! Chairman havana kuwana ma inputs as I speak…is this what we want? The answer is NO,” he wrote.
DCC women’s league chairperson Florence Mukau chipped in, in support of Svuure saying CCC was making inroads and distributing goodies in various wards of the district.
In his response Marapira said no matter what the concerns were, nothing was going to change in as far as the distribution of inputs is concerned and strongly warned members to respect the circular on inputs distribution.
“Let me kindly warn this group, nothing will change as far as the Presidential input scheme is concerned. We all have to support our government. I personally know what was happening especially at GMB Zaka. Anyone who wants more information, come to my inbox.
“Party leaders let’s not produce our own list of organizations and take them to GMB. Such lists should be taken directly to the Minister of Lands Agriculture Fisheries Water and Rural Development for approval. We should not confuse the distribution modalities set by my ministry. All lists taken to GMB will not be processed unless if they follow the normal channel,” wrote Marapira.
DCC chairperson who is the deputy minister of finance and Zaka East MP Clemence Chiduwa said reducing input quantities during run up to elections was going to affect the party.
“Minister, you are doing your work but coming up with climatic regions in Zaka and reducing quantities towards elections is to counter what we want as a party. For me, I have said what is supposed to be done. We seem to be all wrong except GMB and Hon Marapira. The genuine issues we raise will be misconstrued to appear like it’s personal. What is currently happening is only obtaining in Zaka. As DCC chairpersons, we share information and it’s sad we act like Pfumvudza programme started yesterday. A full DCC meeting is required so that we get political direction on what is happening. We also need to, communicate the correct message to our structures.
“Hon Marapira favors your district by giving them more inputs and having timely disbursements instead of weather zones related downsizing of quantities towards elections. Hakuna ari kutaura nezve ZANU PF pambeu (No one is talking about Zanu PF during seed distribution). Is GMB a Non-Governmental Organization? Is it illegal kutaura kuti mbeu yakabva kwa president (to say the inputs are coming from the President). Why do we want to show that in ward 22 of Zaka West CCC is giving 5 kg but ZANU PF is giving 2 kg. This is happening this year because of what. Hon Mavhenyengwa, this is your district. Let’s benefit from our children who have been appointed to higher positions,” said Chiduwa.
Another group participant and provincial member Wellington Chakona said the civil servants in charge of distribution were a nuisance and suggested that all extension workers be transferred as they were all sympathetic to CCC.
“Honourable I suggest kuti madhumeni edu ese emu Zaka vangomuka vabviswa muma ward mavari uri muward 19 unomuka ave KwaMushaya uko waramba zvavharana ngava change mawards kunyanya vemu ward 19 just transfer madhumeni iwayo to other wards hazvina noise ivo voga vachaziva kuti chiii, (Honourable I suggest that all extension workers be transferred for they are sympathetic to CCC. All who do not want transfer should just be relieved of their duties)” said Chakona.
However, the matter was put to rest after Marapira sensed the gravity of the discussions and went on to ask if the group was water tight but other members including Aleta Makomeke said the group wasn’t and it was not surprising to see the chats elsewhere.

Informal mining a curse for women

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Informal mining a curse for women

…As the world commemorates 16 days of activism against GBV

Branton Matondo

Following this year 2022 commemoration of 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV) running under the theme ‘Unite Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls’ from November 25 to December 10, civil society has noted that women are treated as ‘expendable commodities’ further exposing them to sexual, physical and emotional violence in mineral rich pockets of Zimbabwe.
With artisanal mining becoming the bed rock of survival in Penhalonga, Chiadzwa, Chimanimani and Odzi, women have been found on the other side of luck as they continue to be exposed to sexual manipulations by artisanal miners (magweja) and emotional abuse through rampant child marriage cases.
This was confirmed by Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) recent statistics which stated that at least 22 women are raped daily in Zimbabwe that is in every 75 minutes or one hour pointing to the fact that in every fifteen minutes a case of rape occurs.
On average 646 women are sexually abused monthly while one in three girls is raped or suffers some form of sexual abuse by the time they reach 18 years.
Speaking to TellZim News, Mutare-based youth forum Manica Youth Assembly (MAYA) co-ordinator Jussa Kudherezera said the informalized economy leading to proliferation of artisanal mining has already proved to be an impediment to girls and women.
“With the informalized economy and the advent of artisanal mining in Zimbabwe in gold-rich areas such as Penhalonga, Chimanimani and Odzi as well as diamond mining areas such as Chiadzwa, women are treated as expendable commodities further exposing them to sexual, physical and emotional violence. The extractive sector especially mining has become a curse for women instead of a blessing. This sector especially artisanal gold mining (chigweja) according to the Zimbabwe Gender Commission report is the biggest contributor to child marriages in the country,” said Kudherezera.
During a recent workshop held in Mutare, Centre for Research Development (CRD) leader Joseph Mupfumi said that besides manning of human rights violation by state security, women in the Marange area have also become sexual victims.
Reports indicate that women have been caught in between violence.
The lack of clear and viable tracing and groundwork in remote informal mining vicinities continues to affect the girl child.
MAYA believes that society has normalized early pregnancies indicating that so much work needs to be done.
“Society is not angry enough about child pregnancies; is this not a sign of a dysfunctional society? This is a clear case of how societies have normalized GBV. As MAYA, we refuse to legitimize this narrative and take this opportunity to speak out against Gender Based Violence Against Women and Girls (GBVAWG).
“Countering impunity, silence, stigma, and shame surrounding GBV is an important step towards supporting women and girls to lead more prosperous societies and engagement of men and boys.
“This must be accompanied by improved social and economic opportunities so that women and girls can fulfil their educational and professional goals and achieve economic independence through better access to decent work opportunities and social protection coverage, as well as to decision-making spaces and meaningful participation therein.
“Alongside these efforts, men and boys must not be left out, they must step up. They can begin where they live. It is an uncomfortable truth that for some women and girls rather than being a place of safety, as it should be, home can be deadly, “read a statement by MAYA.
Manicaland Women Forum (MWF) has been vibrant online as they have triggered a campaign that called for everyone to play their part as the province and the world at large propels the fight against GBV.

Cancerous growth halts Gutu teenager’s dreams

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Cancerous growth halts Gutu teenager’s dreams

Theresa Takafuma

The mantra ‘disability does not mean inability’ has become so casual to an extent where many have forgotten the glaring inabilities being aggravated by poverty in the lives of people with disabilities like in the sad story of Tsitsi Mutambwi, a 16-year-old Gutu girl with albinism, who now languishes with a cancerous growth on her face.

Speaking to Tsitsi, one can sense the obvious hope in her voice—hope that pain will one day disappear and life can get better despite a childhood laced with hardships, including losing both her parents at a very young age; her father died, her mother abandoned her and has not been in her life since she was a toddler and is believed to have remarried somewhere.

Tsitsi is in form one at Mutambwi Secondary School, and is currently not attending classes due to the excruciating pain from the cancerous growth.

The little girl was left in the care of her maternal grandmother who was said to be mentally unstable and was taking Tsitsi around the Matombo area under Chief Munyikwa in Gutu to beg for alms as well as doing menial jobs to put food on the table with little consideration to her condition thereby exposing her to the scorching sun in many instances which affected her skin.

Community members are said to have influenced her to run away from her maternal grandmother’s home to go and find her father’s relatives in Mutambwi area where her paternal uncle and his wife took her in.

The aunt, Marvellous Mutisi said the family is desperately looking for help so that Tsitsi can have her life back like children her age but they are of very little means and can hardly make ends meet, let alone afford medical fees for Tsitsi’s treatment.

“When the growth started on her face above one of her eyes, we thought it was just lack of lotions that people with albinism are supposed to use and we could not afford them.

“A community charity organization, Vanobva kwaMunyikwa Development Trust (VAMDET) started assisting her with the lotions after they had visited Mutambwi Primary School in one of their initiatives, but in 2021 it started getting worse,” Mutisi said.

The organization, which raises its funds through donations from well-wishers took her to Harare in the hope that she could be assisted at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, after which they later decided to look for a second opinion at Karanda Mission Hospital as they had been given a date which was further away at Parirenyatwa.

At Karanda, a sample of the growth was tested and the results came out indicating that she had basal cell cancer, and because of its gravity it required her to go back to Harare to see specialists for an operation as it had already affected her eye.

 

Back in Harare, she was given December 6 2022 to return for treatment funds permitting.

VAMDET Founder Watson Chatiza said they assist Tsitsi to the best of their ability but because they only rely on donations from well-wishers there are currently very few resources for both Tsitsi’s treatment as well as upkeep while she is in Harare.

“We took on Tsitsi’s case after her school head Mr Ziyapa called us and told us she was no longer coming to school because of the growth after our initial visit and we used the few resources we had to take her to Parirenyatwa then Karanda. I had to accommodate them in my home because her family does not have anywhere else to go in the city.

“Tsitsi’s case is heartbreaking as she is now failing to continue with her education because of her condition. We are appealing to well-wishers to help her get the required treatment so that she may be relieved of the pain she has to endure daily. At the moment we are seized with the matter as we try to fundraise for that as her condition is now worsening”

“We will appreciate any amount from well-wishers because all we are focusing on is her getting treatment,” Said Chatiza.

Tsitsi now spends most of her days sleeping due to pain, which she said is now causing persistent headaches, with the aunt confirming that she is no longer eating well probably because of pain.

“The growth is causing her so much discomfort. She spends most of the day sleeping now and we only wish that she gets help and is able to lead a normal life. She has potential to do better even in school if only she could carry on learning without being disturbed from her books due to her condition,” Mutisi said.

When prompted to speak, her very first words were; “Ndirikurwadziwa (I am in pain).

(Wellwishers can contact Watson Chatiza on +263733876747)

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