NGO withdraws services in protest over bureaucracy

Speaking during the handover of groceries to the shelter sourced by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development from Bellevue Spar, Mrs Tholakele Khumalo, the director of the shelter, said it was disheartening how the process of going to Mhlahlandlela Government Complex in Bulawayo for documents denied children their right to education.
“It is sad to note that orphans are no longer receiving money from our donors because I told them to stop paying fees as there was a lot of bureaucracy involved. I do not understand how paying fees for the orphans requires me to go all the way to Mhlahlandlela Government Complex to fill in forms and explain myself,” said Mrs Khumalo.

She said it was her wish to see children get education but the processes involved discouraged her a lot as the issue of fees was supposed to be between her and school authorities.
The groceries donated to the shelter included cooking oil, baked beans, drinks, sugar and rice.
Speaking at the same occasion, the community development officer for Bulawayo Central, Mr Paul Gwavava, urged members of the public to know and make use of the Victim Friendly Unit at all police stations and be familiar with the Domestic Violence Act.

“It is proper to not only set apart 16 days to refrain from GBV but 365 days. As we get to the New Year, let us make it our aim to act and ensure our society is free from all GBV,” said Mr Gwavava.
Speaking before officially handing over the groceries, the provincial development officer in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development in Bulawayo, Mrs Vaidah Mashangwa, said that her ministry appreciated the work done by the shelter. “We cherish the work being done by the different GBV service providers towards the eradication of GBV. We also appreciate the assistance being rendered to the survivors of GBV in Bulawayo,” said Mrs Mashangwa.

She said her ministry had improved its programmes in a bid to reduce the number of instances where the perpetrators of GBV were going free.
“The ministry has made great strides in assisting victims through the establishment of one-stop centres in Makoni District, Manicaland Province, and Mberengwa in Midlands where victims can get all the assistance they need in one place. This was after we considered that most people travel many kilometres to the nearest hospital or police station,” said Mrs Mashangwa.