THE government on Sunday rushed to donate groceries worth
at least $20 000 to a COVID-19-hit Ruwa family members after the media exposed
their neglect by the State.
Saul Sakudya, who tested positive on March 24 after
travelling to Dubai on business said his 40-year-old wife and two sons aged 24
and 21 were subsequently confirmed to have contracted the COVID-19 virus too.
The Standard, NewsDay’s sister paper, in collaboration with
Information Development Trust, which is helping journalists expose bad
governance in the public sector, at the weekend exposed how the government had
neglected the Sakudya family, leaving churches and members of the local
community with the responsibility of feeding them.
Sakudya revealed that no officials from the Health as well
as Labour and Social Welfare ministries had bothered to check on him or offer
humanitarian support to his family since self-isolation started close to two
weeks ago at their Zimre Park home. He also revealed that First Lady Auxillia
Mnangagwa also called him yesterday to check on how the family had been doing
after the COVID-19 attack.
Labour ministry permanent secretary Simon Masanga told The Standard
at the weekend that his department had not received Sakudya’s record and added
that they were ready to assist as soon as such information was presented to
them.
Sakudya yesterday revealed that after The Standard story,
the Department of Social Welfare quickly dispatched a team with the groceries
to cushion his family during the 21-day lockdown period.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a mandatory 21-day
lockdown that came into effect on March 30.
“On Sunday, Mr Masanga called me about five times inquiring
about the form of help I needed. Labour and Social Welfare minister Paul
Mavima, also called me and assured me of help,” Sakudya said.
“Government gave me groceries. I think they are valued
between $20 000 and $30 000. I am very grateful with what the government has
done. The minister gave me his direct number and told me to call him if there
is anything I wanted,” Sakudya told NewsDay.
Masanga said his ministry always had a standby team to
assist vulnerable people under its social protection system. He regretted that
his office had not been given information relating to the Sakudya family plight.
“We thank The Standard for bringing this to our attention.
We have gladly assisted. Be free to inform us if you encounter other cases that
need our attention,” Masanga said.
Sakudya said he was happy that the government had finally
intervened to assist his family.
He has received numerous calls from across the world as
well-wishers pledged material support and offered prayers to him at a time
essential commodities were fast running out at home.
“I would like to thank President Mnangagwa’s government for
reacting quickly after the story was published. Mai Mnangagwa called me and I
also want to thank her for spending time to check on me. The minister has given
me his assurance for continued support until my family is out of isolation,”
Sakudya said.
“Doctors have been supportive too, especially Dr Prosper
Chonzi, Dr Duri who attended to me at Wilkins Hospital and Dr Mudariki, who has
been coming home to administer drugs on us.
“Dr Chonzi has given us the greenlight to call him any time
if we have challenges. These doctors, I cannot thank them enough.”
There are five other family members who tested negative and
have been confined to the main house, while Sakudya, his wife and two sons are
living in a separate cottage.
Officially, Zimbabwe has nine confirmed coronavirus cases,
with one of them having ended as a fatality. Newsday
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