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Chronicle Reporter
MEMBERS of the Zimbabwe Parents of the Handicapped Children Association (ZPHCA) in Bulawayo are demanding the immediate resignation of the branch executive following the closure of the institution recently.
At least 40 children living with disability were left stranded when the organisation suspended day care services for them citing operational constraints and lack of funding.
Since then disgruntled parents have attacked the branch co-ordinator, Ms Tracey Mabiza and her executive, accusing them of corruption, lack of transparency and running down the institution.
A group of parents met the board members of the organisation at a house in Mpopoma on Thursday where they discussed the issue and demanded that Ms Mabiza and her team resign.
They said it was not true that the organisation did not have money and insisted that the management diverted money for personal use.
Mrs Grace Mahachi from Pelandaba alleged that Ms Mabiza and her team forged documents where they claimed to have given parents loans to run projects, which she said they never received.
She was supported by Mrs Sibongile Moyo who said indeed management forged parents’ signatures.
The parents produced documents, which were shown to the Chronicle news crew, bearing the said signatures. They said it was tantamount to fraud.
“We want Ms Mabiza and her team to leave that office and let others who are competent and professional take over,” fumed Mrs T Nenji from Sizinda.
A board member, Ms Sitshengisiwe Mkhwananzi, accused management of refusing to heed advice from the board, saying repeated efforts to engage them did not yield anything.
Board chairperson Mrs Irene Mhunga also said Ms Mabiza and her executive should step down.
“We wanted this issue to end at management level but Ms Mabiza and her executive did things their own way. The organisation is dysfunctional now and we want them out,” she said.
Mr Herifanos Nyamukuta from Mabutweni said the crew should be arrested for alleged forging of signatures.
Ms Simanje Mkwananzi from Mzilikazi claimed that management tried to entice her with $200 to forge some financial document in an attempt to impress the donors.
One of the caregivers Ms Mavis Mpofu also complained that Ms Mabiza and her team failed to manage the centre accordingly resulting in its closure.
Mr George Frank said he quit the organisation as a care giver early this year because of frustration by management.
Ms Mabiza, who could not be reached for comment, admitted last week that her institution was facing difficulties and that there was animosity between her executive and the parents.
She confirmed that at some point management diverted funding to cover costs for essential services and said the organisation suspended its operations as it was failing to pay rent and provide the children with all the nutritional support, physiotherapy and social support.
The organisation has 10 administration workers, four teachers and 12 voluntary care givers.
ZPHCA Bulawayo branch was established in 2001 and is renting Emthunzini Wethemba premises in Mzilikazi suburb.
Ms Mabiza said total annual budget for the organisation was about $45 000.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu