Mahwindi4ED, a ZANU-PF-affiliated group of rank marshals, contributed over US$8,000 towards school and examination fees for 150 vulnerable primary school children from 10 schools in Sakubva and Dangamvura, Mutare.
The payments were made last Friday by the group’s Manicaland chapter at government and council-run primary schools.
The initiative was led by ZANU PF Central Committee member Isau Mupfumi, Mutare District Coordination Committee (DCC) secretary for education Councillor Shepherd Jojo, Mahwindi4ED special advisor Jealous Mukorera, and the affiliate’s provincial chairperson Herman Nyika.
Each of the following schools, Zamba, Sakubva, Mutanda, Dangare, Chisamba, Rujeko, Gimboki, Chirovakamwe, Sheni, and Dangamvura Primary, had 15 vulnerable pupils benefiting, with school and registration fees covered for Grades Six and Seven.
Mukorera said the initiative was prompted by concerns over rising drug abuse among children who drop out of school due to unpaid fees. He said:
“We realised that many children are turning to drugs after dropping out of school due to poverty.
“We met as Mahwindi4ED and resolved to mobilise funds and pay school fees for vulnerable children on the verge of dropping out of school.
“Since this is the beginning, we started with a small number (150), but we are looking forward to growing and expanding the scope to benefit a larger pool of children, who are the future leaders of our country.”
Mukorera said the public should not view Mahwindi members as violent or avoid them. He said:
“That is not a fair comment. We are not a violent people – it is just that the name people gave us has negative connotations attached to it. Even at the airport, there are mahwindi, but they are not violent.
“In fact, you call them ushers because of the environment they operate in. In the same vein, we are also ushers, not a violent lot.
“We are there to help the commuting community, offering help and information to those who need it.
“That is our duty, not to intimidate or harass the commuting public.”
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