dyton mupawaenda
THE Department of Social Welfare and the police’s quick reaction, to save the neglected twin toddlers in Chitungwiza, was what we want to always see in this country.
Zengeza residents alerted H-Metro, their newspaper of choice, after the disgraced parents — Linda Tinashe and Desmond Dahwa — shocked the neighbourhood by neglecting their one-year-old toddlers.
The residents were unhappy that the twins were being left under the care of their nine-year-old sister.
Their father, Desmond, works as a security guard in Kwekwe while Linda is a part-time hairdresser.
She confirmed she left the twins under the care of their sister when she went for her prayers.
She defended her actions even though it left her little kids in danger.
With all due respect, a nine-year-old cannot be expected to take care of other children, especially one-year-olds, who need all the attention that their mothers, and guardians, can give them.
A nine-year-old child actually requires attention and guidance.
Such a kid cannot be expected to provide any role, as a guardian, for another kid.
The neighbours were right to raise the alarm because most of them also have children and they know what it needs to take care of the kids.
We decided to run the story because we believed we had a responsibility to save those twin kids and also save their nine-year-old sister.
When it comes to the abuse of children, we are uncompromising as a newspaper.
We believe it’s our responsibility to ensure that we protect as many kids, from being abused, as possible.
We salute the police and the Department of Social Welfare for their swift response, which led to the arrest of the parents for child abuse.
We have been calling for a tough stance against people who abuse children. The kids did not choose to be born but it was the parents’ choice.
To make it worse, the nine-year-old girl had been forced to drop out of school to play the role of a maid.
This is unacceptable.
Children’s rights groups and voluntary social workers should probe similar cases wherever they are happening in this country. We all have a responsibility to ensure that our children, across the country, are not abused.
Irresponsible people, masquerading as parents should lose custody of their children. No child should miss school while performing motherly roles when both parents are still alive.
As a way forward, we expect action to be taken against the couple and authorities have to ensure the kids’ welfare is prioritised.
The irresponsible couple should not be trusted, again, with the welfare of these kids.
Of course, some people are saying that they have learnt their lesson the hard way and should be given another chance to take care of their kids.
We understand that argument but we are worried about that.
As a newspaper we are happy that we played our part in helping these twin kids.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter