BY NIZBERT MOYO
THE Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights (MIHR) has engaged Gwanda villagers in a bid to equip them with skills to undertake citizen journalism through the use of modern technology to report on issues such as natural disasters in their areas.
“Environment touches on all human rights so if not safeguarded, it will destroy human rights. For example, if water is not safeguarded it will disturb the right to life like what happened in Luveve high-density suburb in Bulawayo. Natural disasters like cyclones are also caused by the mismanagement of the environment,’’ MIHR co-ordinator Khumbulani Maphosa told NewsDay at a two-day workshop last week.
“Villagers must form WhatsApp groups to ensure they communicate to each other when disasters strike.”
Gwanda ward 1 councillor Stanford Nkala said five villages were represented at the workshop, including Nkashe, Matshiya, Magedleni, Masholomoshe and Matshetsheni.
“We are close to Gwanda town and a lot of sand poaching is taking place. Digital tools will enable us to take pictures as evidence and have those culprits brought to book,’’ Nkala said.
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