The Hurungwe Children’s Home in Karoi was shut down on Friday after reports of child abuse and gross misappropriation of funds by staff members emerged.
iHarare established from a state media report that at least 80 vulnerable children will now be relocated to other children homes after the Karoi Town Council – the organisation that owns the children home – was ordered to shut down the home by the government.
According to the report, furious and concerned Karoi residents accused the management of vandalising and stealing an electricity borehole pump that was donated by ZESA.
Minister of State for Mashonaland West province Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said the government had decided to temporarily close the home in order to protect the vulnerable children.
Social Development had to temporarily shut down and deregister the home because of abuse of children and mismanagement of donations, she said.
Minister Mliswa-Chikoka revealed shocking details of how some members of staff forced the minor children to sniff snuff (bute).
She also took a swipe at the Karoi Town Council for its passive role in the management of the home saying: “We entrusted Karoi Town Council with the lives of the children but they were sleeping on the duty.”
According to unofficial sources from Karoi Urban Police Station, a report of child abuse at the home was filed about five months ago.
The matter was reported and was handled administratively by gathering information and making recommendations. The district commanding officer then shared the recommendations with the home’s interim board chairperson Councillor Abel Matsika, confirmed the source.
However, Councillor Matsika castigated government’s decision to shut down the home saying: “We have been running the home from the Government’s monthly grants and donations and the decision to close it was harsh.”
He added that the government took the decision to close the home without consulting the council.-iharare
