First Lady condemns child abuse

Michael Magoronga in Kwekwe
The majority of children who find themselves in children’s homes are victims of increasing cases of abuse by their guardians and parents, First Lady Cde Auxillia Mnangagwa has said.

Speaking after donating groceries and clothing to orphans and vulnerable children drawn from Kwekwe, Silobela, Zhombe and Gokwe districts in Kwekwe yesterday, the First Lady who has been going around the country donating to orphanages said child abuse was rife in the country.

“It’s so disturbing. Most of these children ended up being at these homes due to abuse by their parents or guardians including close relatives like the father or brother! A father sexually abusing his own child when we expect her to get protection from the same,” she said.

The First Lady said some parents have developed a tendency of dumping their disabled children at orphanages.

She said parents should learn to accept their children since every child was a gift from God.

‘It is disheartening to learn that discrimination of disabled children is on the increase as well at a time when the nation is trying to uphold children’s rights.

“We need to accept what God would have given us. There is no reason to dump children at orphanages simply because they are disabled,” she said.

She said some children at orphanages tended to be troublesome as they engage in drugs. She urged children to respect their care givers who have become their parents.

“With all the effort being put by different organisations, assuming the duties of a parent in nurturing these kids, some end up smoking dagga and taking drugs which is not good.

“You should behave and focus on changing your lives,” she said.

More than 800 children drawn from Kwekwe, Silobela, Zhombe and Gokwe gathered at the Kwekwe Mining Museum for a luncheon with the First Lady.

Marry Ward Children’s Home, Sally Mugabe Day Care Centre for Children with Disabilities and Loreto Orphanage in Silobela were some of the homes whose members were at the luncheon.

The First Lady donated blankets, food hampers, clothes and some goodies to the orphans.