Chief's values eroding- Chief Gampu

Chief Gampu has expressed concerns that the traditional leaders' values seem to be eroding away from the people as the nation seem to have a lot of elderly people abusing young girls.

He made the remarks while in parliament during debate about HIV and AIDs.

"I am not in the HIV Committee, however, I was very much touched by what was being contributed by most Hon. Senators.  It is saddening for us as

chiefs as we see that our values are slowly eroding away from people.  Some previous speakers spoke about sugar daddies who are so much of a problem in institutions of higher learning.  It is true that they are indeed problematic because they fall in love and abuse these young children.  

Their intention is not to marry them but for them to benefit from them whilst abusing them," said the chief.

"People no longer have conscience at all that is why they do such scurry things.  Truthfully, if you have a girl child and you leave them at home,

you go to an institution of higher learning take advantage of another child who is same age as your child because you have money, where is your

conscience.  That is where our problem is.  If the Government is to strengthen the laws concerning this issue, it would go a long way in

assisting to curb this issue."

Gampu said concerning the issue of transmission of HIV/AID, people who do this intentionally, should be put under the law.  

"There should be a law that takes care of these actions so that they pay for their deeds.  Conscience no longer exist amongst us as people and this

is caused by what we call democracy.  The human rights that we always talk about.  The children that move around with sugar daddies and do what they want believing it is their right to do whatever they want, whenever they want and to have sugar daddies, however it is a bad thing," said the Chief.

"I remember the former South African President, Thabo Mbeki once released a statement that HIV/AIDS is nonexistent but it is there because of poverty.  He said that what perpetuates HIV/AIDS is poverty and people did not understand what he meant.  What he meant was that our poverty and suffering as Zimbabwe and the whole of Africa is what leads our children to handle themselves the way they do, having sugar daddies and dating for money's sake.  I have heard that these sugar daddies are now referred to as "blessers"."

"As chiefs, we are here to advise you and to correct you in your wrong ways. It is amazing that the pastors, the bishops, the elderly and even

Members of Parliament are amongst those who do wrong.  As we sit in this august House, I beg with you Hon. Members, let us have conscience.  Let us go to church; perhaps the Lord could have mercy upon us.  He said it in his Bible that if you follow my commandments, you will not die of diseases of foreigners.  The diseases that are referred to are like HIV/AIDS.  What God is saying is that we should follow his commandments.  We should have our conscience and people should not be brave.  That is a very bad thing.  With those few words," added the Chief.