Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Reporter
FIRST Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has consoled the Guruve community following the brutal killing of 25 people by suspected serial offender Anymore Zvitsva, assuring grieving families of the Government’s solidarity, justice and continued support as they come to terms with the tragedy.
Addressing villagers during her tree-planting and humanitarian support to vulnerable families in Guruve on Tuesday, Dr Mnangagwa expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, describing the incident as heartbreaking and unacceptable in any society.
“We cannot have such people living among us in our communities. I want to see justice served and Zvitsva paying for his crimes.
“It is painful for a woman to raise a family, only for someone to destroy it by taking the lives of your loved ones. As a mother, I am deeply hurt and I will not rest until justice prevails,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa urged the community to stand together and support affected families, adding that healing would require collective effort and strong leadership at the local level.
“We also have a duty as a community to make sure that what happened here does not continue to affect future generations. Traditional leaders must bring these families together, comfort them and help them find closure so that peace can return,” she said.
The First Lady, who is the country’s Environment Patron, had taken her nationwide environmental sustainability campaign to Mashonaland Central, where she led a tree-planting exercise at Mutota Primary School, working side by side with learners and villagers.
True to her hands-on approach, Dr Mnangagwa rolled up her sleeves to plant trees, urging young people to take responsibility for protecting forests and natural resources, which she said were key to securing livelihoods and food security.
“Our aim is for these young children to grow up knowing that they must protect their environment,” she said.
“This event reminds us that we must always safeguard our surroundings as a nation. We should teach our children to preserve our trees, our land, and our water so that we leave a meaningful legacy for future generations because our livelihoods depend on these resources.”
Mother Zimbabwe also interacted with Early Childhood Development learners, encouraging them to value trees from a young age, before commissioning a solar-powered borehole to ease persistent water challenges at Mutora Primary School.
The borehole will also benefit the surrounding communities.
Under the theme “Trees and Forests for Ecosystem Restoration and Improved Livelihoods,” the programme promotes environmental stewardship while improving household resilience in vulnerable communities.
True to her philanthropic work, Dr Mnangagwa distributed truckloads of food hampers to vulnerable households, bringing relief and smiles to many families struggling with food insecurity.
Dr Mnangagwa later used the platform to address pressing social concerns, particularly the high prevalence of child marriages and gender-based violence in the province.
The First Lady called for urgent intervention to protect children.
Engaging villagers in an open dialogue, she questioned why many girls were being pushed into early marriages, saying poverty should never be used as justification.
“Why are these children getting married so early?” she asked.
“We cannot use poverty and hunger as excuses for pushing children into marriage. Our children must stay in school, work hard, and build their futures rather than seek what seems like an easy way out.
As parents and leaders, it is our responsibility to guide and protect them.”
Community members cited drug abuse, weakened parental supervision, and changing family values as some of the drivers behind risky behaviour among youths.
Mrs Chipo Chipiranyanga said many parents were struggling to provide proper guidance.
“Our children are lacking guidance and are now quick to say they have rights. We have children taking drugs while staying with their parents. Some of us have no time to monitor what they are doing and only realise when things have gone out of hand. Other parents even take their sons to beerhalls, so how do we expect them to listen to us?” she said.
Mr Edward Chisepo added that illicit drugs were fuelling crime and indiscipline.
“Our children are taking mutoriro, and when they use these drugs, they lose control. We are appealing to Government to help us address this problem. Those producing these illicit brews should be arrested,” he said.
In response, Dr Mnangagwa urged traditional leaders to continue reviving cultural mentorship systems to instil discipline and values among young people.
“Start nhanga sessions for the young girls in your villages, while chiefs and elders guide the boys. You must be at the forefront of teaching them what is right and wrong so that they grow into responsible adults and do not rush into marriage,” said Dr Mnangagwa.
In a gesture of appreciation, the First Lady was presented with six Boran heifers by women whose livelihoods have improved through her empowerment initiatives, symbolising the tangible impact of her programmes on rural families.
Beneficiary Ms Catherine Mhishi said the support had transformed their lives.
“Amai empowered us as women, and we went into the field and worked. We are now seeing the benefits of what Dr Mnangagwa taught us. As a widow, I am grateful that I am now empowered and able to work the land to provide for my family and contribute to my country,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Chipo Makombe-Muzulu, also expressed gratitude for the empowerment programmes.
“I am happy that through the training I received from the First Lady, we learned the importance of working hard as women. She taught us many skills and even gave us the capital to start our projects. Today we are proud to give back, and we promise to continue working hard,” she said.
Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Christopher Magomo, commended the First Lady for integrating conservation efforts with practical social support.
Minister Magomo said the initiatives were directly improving lives while empowering communities to become self-reliant.
The event was punctuated by traditional performances from the Guruve Marimba Arts Ensemble, adding colour and celebration to a day that blended conservation, compassion, and community empowerment.
