And it is appointed for men to die once, but after this judgement Hebrews 9vs 27
While it is sad and sorrowful that lives were lost to the pandemic and some are still battling for dear lives. It is important and imperative for us as the psychological fraternity to ponder at the behaviours which has found Zimbabwean health this far.

The Problem
Firstly, in assuagement cholera is fit and properly placed as a medieval madness and crisis. It is our firm belief based on evidence gathered that there was gross negligence on the part of government and in particular ministry of local governance‘s negligence and failure to inspect local water source coupled with its bonafide ultra vires duty to impinge council service delivery duty. The historical ‘subjugative’ stance by the local governance to city council business in order to score politically by way of showing failure of MDC lead councils, lead to beloved citizens into drinking contaminated water.
The issue of cholera is symptomatic of the extant nature of structural violence within our urban communities. Structural violence according to Johan Galtung cited in Farmer, Nizeye, Stulac and Keshavjee (2006p1686) is a form of violence where in some social structure or social institution may harm people by preventing them from meeting their basic needs. It is well catalogued that our history of local government ministers is laden with charlatanic impingements to city developments. From the local government in particular the former ZANU PF zealots and local government “gods” Chombo and Kasukuwere underdevelopment and mundane retrogressive acts have always been their thrust. It is on record that these ZANU PF iconic figures via their unfettered powers, set dysfunctional commissions to replace competent people and or gag council in appointing such persons who had potential to turn around the fortunes of city councils

The Silver Lining

Going forward we look for cooperation between local government and city council in conducting city business. It is our hope that business in these two bodies would be done with an ultimate goal of achieving citizen beneficence rather than seeking its antonym which is maleficence, partisan and parochial political relevance. It is our wish based on the hazardous city planning which is depicted by mushrooming of settlements that there is need for continuous research to assess quality of life of citizens. It is from such research that is funded by local government that a proactive proximal approach is embraced to counter likely hazards before their catastrophic effects in settlements.
It is our hope also that government moves to depoliticise dissent views especially those critical of local government operations in impinging council business. Citizens should be allowed to voice their concerns to relevant authorities and even call for their dismissal if they deem so, without being intimidated and or their voices being politicised.
In these views we submit that they are not ultimate or are they the all in all. In the same voice we call for a participatory approach in issues of local governance affecting mainly our cities and towns. It is at this juncture that we seek to call for systemic changes within the ministry of local governance especially from its subjugative modus operandi of starting ‘cat fights’ at the detriment of development. We wish that as the ministry of local governance moves towards progressive development by way of cooperating through supporting council projects and initiatives. Once local government toe the line, medieval madness and crisis such as cholera will never find their place in a contemporary society.

Prosper K Mushauri
Counselling Psychologist (Intern)