Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba
KWEKWE City Council Finance Committee Chairperson Councillor Alex Senge has called for the urgent enactment of a law by Parliament that forces every foreigner seeking a work permit to bring their spouse, or face the heat over a spiralling STI crisis.
The outspoken councillor dropped the bombshell at a fiery public awareness drive on sexual and reproductive health rights, hosted by the Zimbabwe Parliamentary Youth Caucus at Mbizo Youth Centre in KWEKWE last week.
Clr Senge insists the “bring-your-wife” law could slam the brakes on the city’s rising sexually transmitted infections, as health bosses scramble to keep up.
“I call on Parliament to consider legislation requiring foreign nationals applying for work permits to be accompanied by their spouses. This measure could help address concerns over rising cases of sexually transmitted infections in Kwekwe,” he said.
Clr Senge said they are sounding the alarm over a surge in sexually transmitted infections sweeping through Kwekwe, with teenagers and people in their twenties bearing the brunt.
“We have clocked a sharp rise in STI cases right here in Kwekwe,” Clr Senge said.
He indicated that they have thrown everything at it — street roadshows, condom handouts, you name it.
“But stocks are running dry and free condoms are vanishing from shelves, leaving youngsters exposed,” he said.
Then came the bombshell. Clr Senge pointed the finger at foreign workers in the district.
He claimed some arrive solo, ditch their wives back home, and start flings with local women.
“We have spotted an STI called ‘blue sick’ being spread by foreigners working here. These foreigners who come without their wives are to blame,” he told the crowd.
However, no proof was tabled at the meeting, and health officials were not on hand to respond.
The councillor urged Kwekwe’s young women to steer clear of dodgy transactional relationships, warning of the dangers of STIs and HIV.
He revealed the worst-hit age group is 16 to 44.
Clr Senge praised the Zimbabwe Parliamentary Youth Caucus for rolling into town.
“We are happy the Parliamentary Youth Caucus is here so you can school our youth — they are the ones getting hit hardest by STIs,” he said.
The campaign zeroed in on sexual and reproductive health rights, pushing to get vital info and services into the hands of Kwekwe’s young people before the crisis spirals further.
Bongani Ndlovu