Chipinge residents march against domestic violence

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