MIDWEEK REPORTER
MASVINGO-Vocal women’s organisations which are quick to condemn and demonstrate against perpetrators of gender violence have been conspicuous by their stone silence since Council of Chiefs president, Chief Fortune Charumbira was reported for indecent assault two weeks ago.
Most women pressure groups that spoke to this publication were adamant that they will not raise a finger or issue a statement condemning the Chief’s alleged behavior as they are afraid of upsetting the powers that be.
Some of them went to the extent of begging this reporter not mention that they were contacted for a comment.
Professor Eldred Masunungure of the University of Zimbabwe said the women’s pressure groups in the country have a tendency of double standards when dealing with gender violence issues.
“The pressure groups in the country have a tendency of reading too much into the political situation and they suddenly become timid when issues of abuse concern a prominent person.
“They are very inconsistent something which is very unfortunate as we expect them to condemn all abuses of women in similar terms,” said Prof Masunungure.
Chief Charumbira was reported by his niece for indecent assault at Masvingo Central Police Station on April 15 and the matter was handed over to ZRP Harare since the alleged offence was committed in Harare on March 31 this year.
ZRP national community, liaison and public relations officer, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the Police will issue a statement on the case at an appropriate time.
In an audio that has gone viral Chief Charumbira spends over 16 minutes begging for a kiss from the niece saying the world will end if she spurns his advances and he will be shattered as he would be demotivated.
Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe Masvingo Chapter chairperson, Moreblessing Manenji said the matter is taking them time to comment because it is difficult to understand as it could be politically motivated.
Manenji who was not at liberty to talk much about the matter said they were going to have a staff meeting to discuss the case and then the board will sit to deliberate on the issue and then may be they will be able to issue a statement.
However, when pressed further she said chiefs as custodians of our culture should be protecting women instead of abusing them.
“We urge the Police to do their job without any interference from any quarter and we are eagerly awaiting the outcome of their investigations since the accused is denying the allegations,” said Manenji.
Kumbirai Kahiya of Girls Empowerment at first did not want to be committal, but after being pressed further she said the Chiefs Council should suspend Chief Charumbira and he should step aside while his name is being cleared.
“If it is true, it is very clear that he used his position in society to abuse the niece. The wheels of justice must move very fast so that the case is finalized.
“As the custodian of our culture the Chief should resign in view of such serious allegations being leveled against him.
“We take our cases to the chiefs courts including those of abuse, so in this case how will he handle such cases before him,” said Kahiya.
When asked why they have not said anything about the matter Kahiya said they were still studying the case and the woman in question has not approached them for assistance.
She cited the Chamisa’s wife case where they condemned the behavior of the Citizens Coalition for Change leader but the wife denied that she was abused in public when a mic was grabbed from and ordered to sit down.
“The issue is long and sensitive, we are hands on the case, studying it and a statement will be issued in due course, we are very concerned about the matter,” she added.
Professor Fidelis Duri a lecturer at the Great Zimbabwe University said the gender pressure groups are acting within the context of the situation prevailing in the country where non-governmental organisations are under siege and any wrong foot will result in deregistration.
“I am quite depressed by the silence of these organisations that masquerade as gender activists when it comes to big people in society yet they are very vocal when gender violence involves small people in society. They go to the extent of falling over each other to issue press statements daily and demonstrating.
“But I am not surprised since they are faced with closure if they don’t dance to the tune of the political leaders.
“Remember there is the Private Voluntary Organisations Bill awaiting the President’s signature, the position of Chief Charumbira in society is also an issue, if he is exposed the Government may come down on the groups like a ton of bricks or face deregistration.
“There are elections coming this year where anything can happen and the President’s Independence speech where he touched on wayward NGOs, all those are contributing factors to their silence,” said Prof Duri.
Efforts to get a comment from the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) were fruitless as the spokesperson, Michael Kurewa Madondo who said such an issue can only be commented on by the accounting officer.
ZGC chief executive officer, Virginia Muwanigwa was not picking calls or replying to messages sent on her mobile phone whatsapp until the time of posting the story.
