Online Reporter
Sidumisile Mabena, [email protected]
TWO people have been arrested and charged for allegedly operating an unregistered and illegal child rehabilitation camp in New Marlborough, Harare.
Tafadzwa Chidawa (36) and Clara Manyepera (38) appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court, facing charges related to operating an unregistered private voluntary organisation and impersonating child protection officers.
According to the State, Chidawa and Manyepera established and ran the “Matrix Disciplinary and Training Camp” without the necessary registration and licensing required by the Private Voluntary Organisations Act. The camp, located at Number 2165 Tokwane Close, purported to “rehabilitate” children with delinquency issues. However, authorities claim that the two admitted youths into the camp without proper authorisation, starting from 6 December 2023.
Furthermore, the State alleges that Chidawa and Manyepera impersonated child protection officers, offering services legally reserved for qualified individuals. This included observing and correcting behaviours contributing to delinquency, as well as providing counselling, supervision, and control. The accused’s actions allegedly contravened the Children’s Act.
The State has obtained video footage of the pair conducting training sessions at the camp. Chidawa and Manyepera were remanded to 20 April on $300 bail each, pending further investigation.
