The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
ISAIAH 66:13 reads: “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”
This verse shows how a mother’s love for her child is deep and comforting.
However, this is a different story for a Chipinge woman who dumped her daughter because of her disability. The woman has since left the country for greener pastures in South Africa.
While celebrating the arrival of a new family member in 2016 at the then Mutare (now Victoria Chitepo) Provincial Hospital, Mr Simon Budaya Gwenzi of Mufoya Village in Mt Selinda, Chipinge, had no idea that his joy would be short-lived.
A year after the birth of Maritz Gwenzi, life became a bed of thorns for Mr Gwenzi after the little girl developed an unusual disease which doctors said was a born development problem.
The baby’s development became a problem and the couple became regular visitors at different hospitals and clinics between 2016 and 2019.
Settling hospital bills also became a problem as they seek treatment for Maritz’s rare condition. Mr Gwenzi, a pirate taxi driver, could not meet the ever ballooning hospital bills.
On the other hand, Maritz’s condition continued deteriorating. At a time when Mr Gwenzi was expecting his wife, Ms Rumbidzai Chimombe, to be his pillar of strength, she did the unthinkable and deserted both him and their beloved Maritz.
Ms Chimombe, who has since found a new home in South Africa, left a note telling her husband that she could not continue looking after a disabled child.
Sadly, her departure also marked another turning point in Mr Gwenzi’s life as he had to leave his job to concentrate on taking care of Maritz.
“Having endured sleepless nights trying to find a cure for our baby, my in-laws from Chivi asked my wife and child to visit them. They said they wanted to assist in finding a cure for my daughter. My wife and Maritz stayed with them for several months but my daughter’s condition did not improve. In February this year, Rumbidzai’s parents phoned saying they wanted their daughter back. They said my Maritz’ disease cannot be treated in hospitals. They said my wife will only come back to me after the child is cured. They accused my family of having a hand in causing my daughter’s rare disease. We discussed the issue with my wife and she told me that she had made up her mind to leave me with Maritz.
“I thought she would change her mind but she just left,” said Mr Gwenzi as he struggled to overcome his emotions during an interview with The Manica Post.
He said his mother’s age is now advanced and therefore she can no longer assist him in taking care of Maritz. He thanked women support groups in the area for assisting him in taking care of Maritz.
“I thank the development partners that have helped me in taking care of my daughter through offering social-psycho support services,” he said.
Mr Gwenzi remains hopeful.
“My daughter’s condition is improving since I took over the full responsibility of looking after her in February. She was weighing 7kg when I started looking after her, but her weight has since improved to 10kg. Her admissions in hospital have become less frequent. Since Rumbi dumped us, she has called twice asking if the child’s condition has improved for her to consider coming back,” said Mr Gwenzi.
Asked what he is now doing for a living since he is often home with Maritz, Mr Gwenzi said he has ventured into carpentry.
“Driving was my only profession. Now that I am glued at home, I have ventured into carpentry, but I do not have the necessary tools.
“When I get some piece jobs, I borrow tools from fellow villagers. I am appealing to well-wishers to assist me with tools so that I can work and take care of my daughter,” he said.
“Since my wife’s departure, I am now actively participating in health, gender based violence and food security programmes, which most men shun. This has been helpful for me and my child.”
Contacted for comment through the WhatsApp platform, South African based Ms Chimombe said they had agreed as a couple for her to move on with her life.
“It is not true that I dumped my daughter. I will return to Mt Selinda soon. I am here to raise money so that we can take Maritz to specialist doctors,” she said before blocking this reporter’s number.
Well-wishers can contact Mr Gwenzi on 077707806.
