Zanu PF MP blames job losses for domestic violence

Kwekwe Central legislator Masango Matambanadzo has blamed poverty on violence within homes saying the closure of Zisco Steel and industry in Bulawayo had contributed to the breakdown of families.

Commenting after a presentation by Paurina Mupariwa after her among other parliamentarians to a conference on violence against women and girls in South Africa, Matambanadzo said legislators needed to address the issue of violence seriously.

"When we leave this House, we should go to our areas and ensure that this issue does not perpetuate.

"It is not an issue that requires military action but it needs the hon. members to go and end violence. What really causes violence? The causes of violence are many and are different such as economic meltdown, the closing down of companies in this country, even sanctions," Matambanadzo said.

"I was so happy that Hon. Mpariwa said this and she is also one of the people who should ensure that these closed companies are resuscitated through engagement with her colleagues in the United Kingdom to ensure that violence is reduced.

Matambanadzo said he had experienced the closure of companies that led to fragmentation of homes.

"When ZISCO STEEL closed down, most men lost their wives because they did not have any sources of income. I hope that those who are complaining come from Bulawayo where companies were closed down" he said.

"You will find that even in Bulawayo, men who worked in these companies were deserted by their wives, so it is not only happening in Kwekwe where I come from and that is why I said, let me talk about it."

Matambanadzo claimed ZISCO Steel was affected by imposed sanctions.

"The targeted sanctions that were imposed on ZISCO Steel have caused us problems. Those are the areas that we should look at and see what causes violence. It is not about violence in families but there is a cause for the violence," he said.

The legislator said women and children are the most vulnerable.

"What law can we really teach each other here? We are being heard out there but what is the solution? On the way children dress, are we really looking into the issue of dressing? The perpetrators, you may find that the way women dress also," Matambanadzo said.

"We need to look into the issue of dressing as well. We need to go and educate our constituents so that in our constituencies the issue of violence is reduced or eradicated. We also want to have businesses and become Members of Parliament."

"If you are someone who wants a lot of money, you will find that a person is told that if they become intimate with a child who is very young, they can make money. This is very dangerous. If you look at it carefully, you will find that an elderly person who is a businessman is brought before the courts and you will be shocked to find that this person is wrong.

"This person will have been given some 'juju ' by traditional healers to become a Member of Parliament or to make money."