News / National
Minister fakes wheelchair pledge, shatters artist's dream
27 May 2025 at 20:53hrs | Views
HARARE - A two-year unfulfilled promise made by Zimbabwe's Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister, Tino Machakaire, to buy an electric wheelchair for Takudzwa Bare has shattered his mobility and routine rehearsal dream, a reminder for the public to desist from relying on politicians or unprincipled ceremonial promises.
Minister Machakaire pledged to buy an electric wheelchair for Bare (a differently able-bodied man) on the 30th of April 2023 during Mambo Dhuterere's Nadah Pachiputukezi album launch, but since then, frantic efforts to deliver the mobility enhancement machine remains a pie in the sky.
"After enjoying the performance and dance for such quite long to the music, I didn't know the physical status of this man. Let me challenge all the fans, stakeholders and general audience here including the church to donate to this man," Machakaire said then.
"Those responsible for this man's welfare should come to my office by Monday or Tuesday 08:00am next week to either collect money so that you buy an electric wheelchair or I personally buy it in my quest to ensure both mobility and perfection to his gift and talent. May I kindly request for the church and other stakeholders here to bring their donations forward so that this guy buy some music instruments complementing his talent," Machakaire appealed.
Church leaders and some businesses raised donations during the launch including more than US$2000. Amongst those contributed include transport and logistics mogul, Rimbi, church leaders from Mambo Dhuterere's church, Madzibaba Simba, among others.
A follow-up investigation by Bulawayo24.com observed that Minister Tino Machakaire is yet to fulfil his pledge and Bare's relatives have made tireless efforts to receive the chair which proves to be a futility exercise. Some relatives disclosed to this publication that the Minister further promised that he will handover a small car instead of an electric wheelchair.
Efforts to get a comment from Minister Tino Machakaire were futile since his phone number was unreachable.
Minister Machakaire pledged to buy an electric wheelchair for Bare (a differently able-bodied man) on the 30th of April 2023 during Mambo Dhuterere's Nadah Pachiputukezi album launch, but since then, frantic efforts to deliver the mobility enhancement machine remains a pie in the sky.
"After enjoying the performance and dance for such quite long to the music, I didn't know the physical status of this man. Let me challenge all the fans, stakeholders and general audience here including the church to donate to this man," Machakaire said then.
Church leaders and some businesses raised donations during the launch including more than US$2000. Amongst those contributed include transport and logistics mogul, Rimbi, church leaders from Mambo Dhuterere's church, Madzibaba Simba, among others.
A follow-up investigation by Bulawayo24.com observed that Minister Tino Machakaire is yet to fulfil his pledge and Bare's relatives have made tireless efforts to receive the chair which proves to be a futility exercise. Some relatives disclosed to this publication that the Minister further promised that he will handover a small car instead of an electric wheelchair.
Efforts to get a comment from Minister Tino Machakaire were futile since his phone number was unreachable.
Source - Byo24News
