Econet chair and founder Strive Mayisiwa telephoned President Emmerson Mnangagwa informing him about his company’s US$10 million donation towards government strategies to combat the cholera outbreak.
This was revealed by the President while addressing hundreds of Glen View residents during his Wednesday tour of what is regarded as the cholera epicentre.
“Econet boss Strive Masiyiwa phoned me after reports of the cholera outbreak from Ethiopia and donated US$10 million.
“He later sent his team to buy needs by doctors and local government ministry,” Mnangagwa said.
The revelations are confirmation of thawing relations between the Zanu PF led government and the powerful telecoms mogul.
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| Strive Rings ED Over $10m Anti-Cholera Gift, President Tours Cholera Hotspots |
“Cholera figures are decreasing,” Mnangagwa said.
“We are mobilising funds to repair all pipes from Morton Jeffrey (Water Works) to all the suburbs here in Harare.
“We have many organisations which include the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and MSF (Medicines Sans Frontieres) Zimbabwe who are helping us with so many needs.”
Mnangagwa said the Harare City Council was receiving resource support to run its programmes aimed at combating the scourge.
He added, “As central government, we will do our best to make sure the council is well resourced.”
Mnangagwa also visited Glen View Poly Clinic where initial suspected cholera cases are being handled as well as Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital where he met some of the infected residents.
He promised government assistance to families that lost their loved ones through the disease.
Mnangagwa was accompanied by his two deputies Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi as well as a handful cabinet ministers who included Obadiah Moyo (Health), Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (Defence), July Moyo (Local Government) and Prisca Mupfumira (Tourism).
Harare Mayor Hebert Gomba, who was in the touring party, said 32 deaths have been recorded so far while 7 000 cases have been reported since the cholera outbreak was reported some three weeks ago.
