Hundreds of residents in Chipinge on Wednesday marched
in solidarity against domestic violence following the
shocking death of a local woman, Betty Mashava who was
last week brutally stabbed by her husband.
They marched from the Town House in the Central
Business District to the high-density suburb of Gaza
and proceeded to the spot where the late Betty was
stabbed to death.
The march was organised by the Ministry of Women
Affairs, Gender and Community Development in unison
with stakeholders such as police, army, Dreams, Safa,
Mutare City Council, Africaid, Childline, Simukai,
Catch, churches as well as politicians.
Speaking at the event, the ministry's head, Mr Gabriel
Jaji, encouraged families to seek legal recourse or
professional advice from trained counsellors than
resorting to violence.
He also urged people to seek assistance from ward
development co-ordinators in their respective wards.
Representatives from Padare men's forum pleaded with
men to play a critical role in preserving peace and
fight against domestic violence.
ZCC urged pastors to provide counselling services and
social support to families and communities.
Pastor Masango delivered a powerful sermon urging
couples to commit their ways to God and let Him take
charge of marriage unions. He said men should not take
the law into their own hands by killing their spouses.
Betty's family members said they were still in shock.
They appealed for assistance in cash or kind for the
upkeep of the two children she left behind.
BY Luthando Mapepa in Chipinge
