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Witchcraft, poverty, and depression: The triple threat facing Zimbabwe’s elderly

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

In a small corner of Victoria Falls, a 92-year-old woman named Esther Mpofu calls Chinotimba Old People’s Home her own.

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Allegedly accused of witchcraft by her daughter-in-law and abandoned by her son, she was deprived of the right to family life as stated in Section 72 of the constitution.

Mpofu was left at the home 23 years ago and has never seen her seven grandchildren since.

The pain still lingers, and the isolation has taken a toll on her mental health.

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Esther Mpofu

“I had to comply because that’s what my son wanted for the sake of peace,” Mpofu recalls, her voice trembling.

“I had nowhere to go, no one to turn to, and coming here was the only option available because all my siblings died long ago. What I’m left with is for God to give me some rest because my soul is not at peace.”

As we spend time with her, we meet others like her – abandoned, lonely, and struggling with depression.

The home’s caretaker, Netie Chindedza, shares stories of similar heartbreak, of families turning their backs on their elderly loved ones.

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Netie Chindedza

“It’s just that we cannot have everyone here because of the resources, but if you go around these rural communities, children are abandoning their families, elderly people,” she says.

“Most of them are being accused of witchcraft, while some get tired of seeing them age, and this is the reason why we had to form this home to relieve the abandoned elderly people and save them from depression.”

As we left the female ward, we were taken to the male ward, where we met another elderly man, 82-year-old Jimmy Ndlovu from Nkayi district.

Jimmy Ndlovu

His story was similar – abandoned by his family, he had to travel over 700 kilometers to Victoria Falls to find a home first at Chidobe village in Hwange, and at the charity care facility due to drought-induced poverty.

He has been at the home for a couple of months now.

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“I was brought here by my daughter, who is married in Filabusi, I was starving, and I had no one to turn to,” Ndlovu says.

As we listened to Ndlovu’s story, we couldn’t help but ask ourselves, how could families turn their backs on their loved ones like this?

But our journey wasn’t over yet. As we moved on, we met another elderly man, 96-year-old, whose destination is unknown.

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He is deaf and unable to sit on his own, relying on diapers and constant care from the facility’s staff.

The Hwange district medical officer, Fungai Musinami, notes that such issues of neglect are rampant, and many dying in silence leading to depression.

“There is this concept in our society that a real man doesn’t cry, doesn’t struggle, and has to be strong. But men and elderly people also struggle with depression and anxiety, and we’ve seen them commit suicides due to feeling uncared for.”

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The African Charter’s Article 14 states: Every individual shall have the right to enjoy the best attainable state of physical and mental health.

But why is this happening in the communities?

Musinami explains, “Our society perpetuates a harmful narrative that these must be invincible. But the truth is, they are human too. They face financial pressures, relationship stress, feeling unloved…just like any other person. And when they can’t cope, they’re more likely to take their own lives.”

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The statistics are chilling – recent research published by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and UN partners states that mental health-related morbidity and mortality are increasing in Zimbabwe, with anxiety disorders estimated to affect 2.8 percent of the population and account for 4 percent of total years lived with disability.

For example, 38 suicide attempts, elderly people included, were recorded in January and February this year at Mpilo Hospital, up from 11 in the same period last year.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson, added that witchcraft allegations are rampant, leading to violent attacks and displacement.

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“We have received similar cases like those (Mpofu’s), as you might have seen the incident where Masvingo man and his three daughters, including a juvenile, were arrested over a brutal murder of a 77-year-old and 92-year-old relatives rooted in witchcraft allegations.”

“Let me make this clear, in our constitution, it is an offense to call another person a witch and you can be tried in courts for that.”

Under the Witchcraft Suppression Act (Chapter 10:09), Section 3: Prohibits accusing someone of being a witch or practicing witchcraft while Section 4: prohibits damaging someone’s reputation by accusing them of witchcraft.

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For this, Nyathi urges the communities to seek counseling services through the traditional and religious leaders and even through police’s counseling section.

Efforts to trace Mpofu’s son have been fruitless as his contacts, which he gave her are not reachable and at the care, they do not know the village where he lives.

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National

Bulawayo mourns Nkulumane MP and poet Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The City of Bulawayo has expressed deep sorrow following the death of Nkulumane MP and acclaimed poet Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo, who died in a car accident early Friday morning near Shangani.

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In a condolence message issued by Town Clerk Christopher Dube on behalf of the Mayor, Senator David Coltart, councillors, and residents, the city described Moyo as “an iconic leader, poet par excellence, and creative who strove to champion the arts in Bulawayo and beyond.”

Moyo, who was affectionately known as Moyoxide, was praised for his commitment to the city’s artistic and civic development. The statement highlighted his impact through his multiple roles — as a Member of Parliament for Ngulumane, a community leader, and a poet who spoke out against injustices while advocating for progress.

“He positively impacted the city through his roles as a leader and poet who challenged all for the development of Bulawayo and the country,” read part of the statement.

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The City of Bulawayo also extended its condolences to the Moyo family, the Bulawayo community, and the nation at large.

“May his soul rest in eternal peace,” the statement added.

The city further wished a speedy recovery to other CCC legislators who were injured in the same accident — Honourables Madalaboy Ndebele, Senator Rittah Ndlovu, Sethulo Ndebele, and Libion Sibanda.

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National

CCC legislators in road accident, Nkulumane MP dies

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BY STAFF REPORTER

One Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator has died while four others were seriously injured in a road accident that occurred early Friday morning near Shangani along Bulawayo-Harare highway.

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CCC spokesperson Promise Mkhwananzi confirmed the accident, saying it happened between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. when the vehicle carrying the members collided with an elephant.

“The vehicle hit an elephant along the Shangani area, and unfortunately Honourable Desire Moyo, the Member of Parliament for Ngulumane, died on the scene,” Nkwananzi said.

He added that the other occupants — Honourable Madalaboy Ndebele, Senator Rittah Ndlovu, Honourable Sethulo Ndebele, and Libion Sibanda — sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Bulawayo.

Nkwananzi said he was deeply shocked by Moyo’s death, as he had met him just yesterday in Harare.

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“I had seen Moyo yesterday and we spent about an hour chatting outside Jamieson Hotel about the party and our future plans for national development,” he said. “I’m gutted by his passing. It’s a huge loss for the party.”

He conveyed his condolences to the Moyo family and wished a speedy recovery and strength to the families of the other CCC members who remain in critical condition.

He said further details, including the name of the hospital where the injured are receiving treatment, would be released once confirmed.

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In the community

MPs raise alarm over illegal gold mining threatening Inyathi hospital

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care has raised serious concern over illegal gold mining activities taking place directly beneath Inyathi District Hospital in Bubi District, Matabeleland North — warning that the facility’s infrastructure could collapse if the practice continues unchecked.

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The revelation came during the committee’s ongoing verification visits to rural health centres across Zimbabwe, aimed at assessing the state of medical infrastructure, equipment, and essential drug availability. The visits, led by Hon. Daniel Molokele, are being conducted on behalf of the committee chairperson, Hon. Dr. Thokozani Khupe.

Speaking to VicFallsLive, Molokele said the team was shocked to discover that artisanal miners (amakorokoza) had extended their illegal mining tunnels under the hospital grounds.

“One of the things that we found at Inyathi District Hospital is that amakorokoza are now doing their gold mining right under the hospital,” said Molokele. “They used to do it outside, but now they have gone beneath the facility. There is a real risk that the infrastructure might collapse because of the underground pressure. This is lawlessness that the government urgently needs to address.”

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Molokele added that the situation reflects broader governance and enforcement challenges in mining communities, where unregulated artisanal mining continues to threaten both public safety and environmental health.

“Most of the cases that patients come with are physical wounds — largely injuries from violent clashes among the amakorokoza,” he said. “There’s a lot of violence happening there, and it is putting a heavy burden on an already under-resourced hospital.”

The committee, which began its tour on Monday in Inyathi before proceeding to Avoca in Insiza District (Matabeleland South), Gundura in Masvingo, and Mutiusinazita in Buhera (Manicaland), is compiling findings that will inform parliamentary recommendations.

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“We will produce a report that will have clear recommendations,” Molokele said. “The National Assembly will debate it, and the Minister of Health will use it to engage the Minister of Finance, especially in the upcoming budget process. We are hoping for a renewed focus on rural healthcare centres, which have been neglected and underfunded for many years.”

Molokele said the verification exercise — though limited by time and financial constraints — seeks to highlight conditions in at least one rural health facility per province.

The committee’s findings come at a time when Zimbabwe’s rural health infrastructure is under severe strain, with many facilities struggling with drug shortages, outdated equipment, and deteriorating buildings. The situation in Inyathi now adds a new dimension of danger — where illegal mining is not only threatening livelihoods but also public infrastructure meant to save lives.

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