Six people, including a seven-month-old, died in a blast in Zengeza 2 in February this year that many suspect was caused by traditional healer, Speakmore Mandere.
The families whose houses were destroyed during the explosion have been appealing to the authorities for financial assistance to help them rebuild their lives.
Although the families are yet to have their houses reconstructed, the major challenge is how the incident affected their livelihoods. One of the tenants is 38-year-old vendor, Shupikai Zarangeya.
“People no longer buy my vegetables because they suspect that there is juju on my stuff. I am in a very difficult situation,” she said.
Zarangeya, mother of one, is now dependent on well wishers for financial assistance.
“People have told me that my vegetables are haunted by the ghosts of the people who died in the explosion. Others have relocated because they cannot stay in this neigbourhood,” she said. She said the temporary shelter donated to the families was unsuitable for children.
“Rats eat my tomatoes at night and they are so big that I am scared to chase them. This place is not suitable for children; it is like we are living in the open.”
As winter draws near, Zarangeya expressed hope that well wishers who promised to construct houses would deliver. She told The Zimbabwean that the incident had not only torn her family apart, but the community was treating her like a social outcast.
“We are like people who are in a totally different world. Even our children need counselling because the incident affected them psychologically.”
Tendai Magaya (22) whose wife, Runyararo Gunda, and one-year-old child, suffered head injuries from the explosion said he was riled by the electricity and water bills from ZESA and Chitungwiza Municipality.
“We have been to council offices to notify them that we do not have any water but the officials pretend that they do not know what happened here. They make us explain our situation over and over again,” he said.
Magaya revealed that family members who were treated at Chitungwiza general hospital on the day of the explosion had been issued with “letters of demand” from P. Chirima Debt collectors on behalf of Chitungwiza Referral Hospital.
“The letters indicate that we should pay up within five days or they are going to take legal action and attach property. We are just waiting for them to come and attach the tents that were donated by Red Cross because that is all we have,” said Magaya.
Post published in: News