LOCAL leaders in Nyanga have been accused of stalling progress in an attempt by an MP to help a stricken family suffering from a rare disease.
BY STAFF REPORTER
Chivi South lawmaker Killer Zivhu last year bought building material to help in the construction of a three-roomed house for the Tembo family who are ravaged by a rare disease.
But the local community reneged on a promise to provide bricks towards the project, reportedly because they believe the family is involved in witchcraft activities.
“When I came and saw this family for the first time, I made it my responsibility to help them.
“I was hoping by December I would come back to hand over the furniture and officially open the house since members of this community had promised to provide the bricks and help in constructing the house,” Zivhu said.
“I have been advised that the community, for reasons I don’t know, has since gone back on the promise to provide bricks.”
There is apparently a belief in the area that the family is suffering because it is involved in witchcraft and misfortunes bedevilling the community can be traced back to the Tembos.
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“They want to see this family suffer, but that is not what the new dispensation is calling for,” he said. “Some of the community members believe their own misfortunes are being caused by this family, but I am telling you that they deserve a good life, just like anybody else.”
Zivhu, at the weekend, had visited the family in the north eastern reaches of Manicaland to hand over $3 000 as part of his continuous assistance he started last year.
Family members Ronica Kembo (62), her two daughters, Chisina and Nhamo and seven grandchildren, who stays in the Fombe area, Ruwangwe Village in Nyanga, suffer from cracked heels, knees and palms that are often bloodied.
The disease has also left all of them unable to walk upright, with some only crawling around using their hands.
School children from nearby Emmanuel High School have turned into the family’s major benefactors over the years until Zivhu came along using his Killer Zivhu Foundation.
But the Zanu PF MP promised to forge ahead, including undertaking to sponsor the children to schools outside the area.
The eldest of the disease’s victims Ronia Kembo, has been suffering for over 60 years of her life.
“It started as if I had fire burns. I could not move my limbs. Doctors at Nyanga, Ruwange and Mutare hospitals couldn’t diagnose the disease.
“They injected me and started removing my palm skin and nails,” Kembo told journalists.
“I bore these children with the hope that they will look after me. But they are also suffering from this same problem. What surprised me the most is that my son does not have this same problem.”
Social welfare representative Spiwe Chakandinakira, applauded Zivhu’s contributions to the family.
