tawandamusarurwa
Online Reporter
Government, through the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, has set in motion plans to assist a Mutare widow who has been living in the mountains with her children and grandchildren for the past 13 years.
This was revealed in a report compiled by the ministry in conjunction with Zimbabwe National Army.
Gogo Loveness Machingamidze Dhliwayo – who was widowed in 2017 – has lived in the Nyakamiti area with her eight children and two grandchildren since 2010.
“The family survives from hand-to-mouth and sometimes goes for days without food,” reads part of the report.
“They are in need of urgent assistance as there is no proper shelter, food, security, formal education for the children, health assistance and the area is not safe for residence.”
The family was forced to settle in the woods due to abject poverty.
They use improper structures as shelter, which exposes them to thieves and wildlife.
Gogo Dhliwayo’s husband died in 2017 and the family relies on well-wishers and scavenging.
“The girls and their mother share two blankets and during the rainy season the entire shelter leaks,” reads the report.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter