“We Campaigned For You, Father”: Disabled Zimbabweans Beg President Mnangagwa To Remember Them”

By Desire Tshuma

Harare – People With Disabilities for Economic Development, PWD4ED, an affiliate of ZANU PF, are making a direct appeal to His Excellency President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa to hear their concerns and help them move from campaigning to empowerment.

The group says it mobilised in all 10 provinces and in every district during the last elections out of love for the ruling party and for the President. They went door to door, held meetings, and delivered what they describe as a resounding victory for His Excellency and for ZANU PF. PWD4ED further said they mobilised and supported the new Constitution Amendment Bill Number 3, CAB3, countrywide.

Now they say they feel forgotten on the ground.

Speaking to this reporter on condition of anonymity, a coordinator of PWD4ED said there is currently no one within the organisation with the resources to sustain and assist members across the country. “Those are just the stories. But on the ground there is nothing. There is not even one person among us who can stand up and assist the whole organisation. But there are many of us. Absolutely none with capacity,” the coordinator said.

The coordinator said PWD4ED was formed to ensure that people with disabilities are part of economic development and not left behind. Members include people who are visually impaired, those who are totally blind, and others who cannot walk and need assistance to move. What unites them, the coordinator said, is the determination to work and contribute to their families and communities if given the opportunity.

“To be disabled doesn’t mean that we are disabled,” the coordinator said. “What we are asking for is capital so that we can start our own different businesses. Give us the tools and we will build for ourselves.”

The group says it is not looking for handouts but for startup capital, equipment, and training to run small businesses such as tuckshops, farming projects, cross-border trading, and other income-generating activities. Without that support, many members remain trapped in poverty despite their willingness to work.

PWD4ED members from ward level, district level, provincial and national level say they are disgruntled and are blaming their leadership for failing to channel support to the grassroots.

One PWD4ED national leader who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, and who only identified himself as Sibanda, accused the organisation of staging empowerment events for publicity only.

“We are asked to come to their programs, they take us photos and videos and send to the President that they helped us in terms of empowerment then they give $10 to go back to our homes or $30, is that empowerment?” asked Sibanda.

He went further to say they are sometimes given $200 per province, and yet a province can comprise up to eight districts. “What is $200 per province to empower disabled?” he asked. “We are being left out by our representatives whilst the President doesn’t know this.”

Several PWD4ED members across all provinces who spoke to this publication said they are not happy and are requesting to meet His Excellency President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa so that they tell him their grievances directly.

PWD4ED also raised concerns about their patron, Jimayi Muduvuri, who is based in Kadoma. Members acknowledged his efforts in constructing a hospital in Kadoma and another one in Gwanda that was opened early this year. However, they said his support has not translated into empowerment for the majority of members across the country.

One member, who also identified himself as Chauke (not his real name), said accessing the health facilities built by the patron is difficult because of distance and transport costs. “I stay in Mashonaland East. To reach Kadoma I have to board two passenger vehicles. It is not easy for someone with a disability,” Chauke said. “I am struggling a lot. I keep trying, I keep pushing, but it is hard.”

Chauke said many members share the same story of trying and failing to get assistance because of location, lack of funds, and lack of targeted support programmes for people with disabilities.

PWD4ED said the President made commitments to all Zimbabweans, and they are now asking him to also attend to their commitment. They said they want a meeting with President Mnangagwa so they can present their challenges directly and propose solutions.

The organisation said it has structures on the ground in every province and district and is ready to implement empowerment projects immediately if government provides capital and support. They believe that with the right assistance, people with disabilities can run sustainable businesses and contribute to the country’s development agenda instead of depending on aid.

“We campaigned for the party and for our President across the whole country,” the coordinator said. “Now we are asking our father, our President, to hear us. We do not want to be left behind. We want to be part of building Zimbabwe.”

As government pushes economic growth and inclusion, PWD4ED says it hopes the President will open the door for them to present their case and receive the support they need to transform their lives.

Efforts to get in touch with PWD4ED patron Jimayi Muduvuri before going to print were fruitless as his mobile phone was not reachable.