City mothers lobby for girl (3)’s treatment

The girl, Nozipho Mlilo, was hit by a commuter omnibus last year in February and has been living with a ruptured bladder that has forced her to use a urinary tube.
It is alleged that the owner of the vehicle, Mr Edwin Mparura (31), adamantly refused to help in taking the girl to hospital because the police officer handling the case said he was innocent and was not obliged to compensate the girl who was two years old then.
The court acquitted him last year in the absence of Nozipho’s mother, a 21-year-old woman, as she was never informed about the court session.
Mothers in the city have since formed an impromptu group to advocate for the plight of the young girl after they were touched by an article published by Chronicle on Wednesday.
In the article Nozipho’s mother, Silibaziso Zondo, was appealing for financial assistance to take her for a scan, which was five months overdue.
On Thursday, two of the concerned mothers who identified themselves as Mrs Nyoni and Mrs Sigauke called on everyone in the country to intervene and fight for the violated human rights of the young Nozipho.
“We are from United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) where we had taken Nozipho for treatment. She is having complications with the urinary tube she is using. Someone should take responsibility especially the police who have contributed to the misery of this girl,” said Mrs Nyoni.
She said speaking as a mother, what befell Nozipho was unfair            and the way police handled the          case was a violation of children’s rights.
“The owner of the vehicle has no conscience and I doubt he sleeps well at night because he acts like he hit a dog with his car not a human being.
“Children’s rights activists should take up this issue and even our leaders have to make sure that such police officers and the man contribute towards the $560 needed for the scan as well as additional money that will be needed for the operation that could fix her bladder,” said Mrs Nyoni.
Mrs Sigauke, who was emotional, said she wanted to see the commuter omnibus owner.
“I am failing to understand how a magistrate could acquit someone who is a disgrace to this society without seeing the complainant or to get her side of the story.
“We could have understood if the child was playing on the road but she was seated waiting to board a kombi and go home. He has to pay for destroying Nozipho’s life. Instead of playing with other children she is always in and out of hospital,” said Mrs Sigauke.
Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Precious Simango refuted allegations by Ms Zondo that police did not do much or charge the man.
“I can confirm the incident and investigations are still under way. After  receiving the report we compiled a docket, which we sent to the courts and Mr Mparura was charged with negligent driving,” said Asst Insp Simango.
She said police were not aware that Mr Mparura was acquitted and were still waiting for the courts to finalise the issue.
“We are waiting for feedback from the court and as far as we are concerned there has not been any judgment on the case,” said Asst Insp Simango.
Ms Zondo approached Chronicle last week and appealed for financial assistance to take her daughter for a scan.
The $560 that she was appealing for does not include the money required for an operation that Nozipho is supposed to undergo.