The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani and Lovemore Kadzura
A ZIMBABWE National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) enumerator in Makoni District was fired after being caught on camera stone drunk while on duty in one of the few incidents recorded during the ongoing 2022 National Population and Housing Census in Manicaland.
Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Edgars Seenza confirmed the dismissal of the enumerator, Ms Merica Karumbidza, whose pictures and videos went viral on social media early this week.
Investigations conducted by The Manica Post revealed that Ms Karumbidza, a Fashion and Fabrics teacher at Dewedzo High School, was fired two days into the exercise for allegedly spending most of her time drinking alcohol instead of embarking on the door-to-door exercise.
“We do not have any major challenges in Manicaland as far as the census exercise is concerned. Everything is progressing on well. The Rusape enumerator who was drunk while on duty was fired from the exercise. That is only one of the few incidences that have been recorded.
“Apart from that, we are happy with what is happening on the ground as our enumerators are well equipped for the task.
“Rains that were received in the province did not affect the exercise and in most areas, mop up exercises are now being carried out,” said Mr Seenza.
While Mr Seenza could not give much details on Ms Karumbidza’s transgressions, The Manica Post understands that before her video went viral, she had already been recalled from the field due to her mischief.
However, she disappeared.
When she was eventually located and summoned to appear before a disciplinary hearing, she allegedly attended in her drunken stupor.
“That lady is a teacher at Dewedzo High School and was operating as an enumerator in Dewedzo Village.
Two days into the programme, reports were received that she was not performing her tasks and was spending most of her time in bottle stores.
“A decision was made to recall her from the field to the district command centre and she was replaced by someone. She handed her tablet over to the new enumerator and only remained with a ZimStat branded hat and T-shirt.
“While stationed at the district office, Karumbidza vanished from work and her superiors only learnt of her whereabouts through social media when her pictures and videos went viral.
“She was in Vengere suburb and drunk, with blood oozing out of her mouth. She was drinking an illicit brew and even had some of it in her satchel,” said a well-placed source.
The source added: “The following day she was called to appear before a disciplinary hearing, but to the surprise of her superiors she attended while heavily intoxicated.
“She could not even respond to the allegations that were being levelled against her and only asked for forgiveness. A decision was made to remove her from the programme. It appears as if she has some serious issues troubling her and she has found solace in alcohol. She requires serious counseling” said the source.
Turning back to progress made so far, Mr Seenza said data will only be released once everything has been collated.
“We also stand guided by ZimStat on the next procedures after the completion of the enumeration exercise. We want to thank the people of Manicaland for their co-operation as no incidences of harassment of enumerators have been recorded. We hope the exercise will be concluded well when it winds up tomorrow,” said Mr Seenza.
Giving a census update in Harare early this week, Zimstat deputy director of Information and Technology Ms Winfilda Muroka said the dashboard of the enumeration process showed that 5 785 279 people had already been counted by Monday.
“The dashboard shows statistics of the interviews that have been done so far and we are looking at the total number being 1 585 000. Completed interviews are over 1,4 million, while partially completed interviews stand at 135 658.
“Our data sent so far shows that our average household size stands at four persons while the total population stands at 5 785 279, but like we said, the interviews can be more and the population can be more as this is based on the data that has been sent to the server,” said Ms Muroka.
