by Rudo Saungweme
The corporate world has joined Government in the fight against Cholera as the pandemic disease has claimed about 25 people nationwide and about 2000 cholera related cases. The Government has declared the Cholera outbreak a state of emergency.
The pandemic diarrheal disease has hit two Southern high density suburbs of Harare, Glenview and Budiriro. Deaths reported across the country can all be traced back to the high density suburbs of Harare.
Giant mobile network, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, has donated $10 million towards the outbreak in assisting the Government in fight against the disease. Other corporates which extended their corporate responsibility mandate are Quest Motors which availed a 3.5 tonne truck to assist in any logistics towards combating the Cholera outbreak whilst Delta beverages is providing clean water to the affected areas.
The recently appointed Minister of Health and Child Care, Minister Obadiah Moyo has applauded the corporate community and other organisations for the assistance it has extended to the Government.
“Since declaration of the outbreak as a disaster, we have been receiving assistance from different organisations and corporates. These include local and foreign companies. I am thrilled by the assistance that continues to come through,” he said.
On the side lines of the handing over ceremony of the donation by Econet, an employee who requested for non-disclosure of identity said that the donation was part of the company’s social responsibility and that the outbreak was declared a state of emergency, he felt it was everyone’s mandate to act and take part.”
However, highly placed principals in the MDC Alliance has opted for a blame game which has led to a narrative circulating on Social media platforms blaming government for the outbreak of cholera. The act was received with a lot of disappointment from many netizens who reprimanded MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa and Harare City Council Mayor for taking political lines during a national disaster.
During his sole visit in the affected areas in Harare, Chamisa is castigated for offering no help other than playing a blame game. Instead of canvassing for resources towards the cause, Chamisa instead resorted to taking selfies and enjoying crowd.
The Corporate world has joined the call by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa in prioritising the fight against the outbreak and to that effect he has introduced a Presidential fund to the tune of $100k to curb the disease.
