HARARE – Property tycoon Frank Buyanga honoured a pledge to pay hospital bills and assist with funeral expenses of some of the victims of a brutal clampdown by security forces after fuel protests turned violent on January 14.
The South Africa-based Buyanga, through his African Medallion Group (AMG), invited bereaved families and those injured in the crackdown to approach his company for assistance.
Buyanga flew to Zimbabwe this week where he met some of the beneficiaries of AMG’s assistance, among them Patricia Kamuriwo, whose leg was shattered by an assault rifle bullet, but she had to be carried in a wheelbarrow because there were no ambulances.
A picture showing her in agony, while being transported in a wheelbarrow, went around the world.
Kamuriwo is recovering at a private hospital in Harare following the intervention of the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights who have also treated hundreds of other victims of army brutality.
Buyanga also met Felix Mafondokoto, another shooting victim who was treated at the West End Clinic at AMG’s expense before being released to recover at home.
“This is just but one of our humanitarian efforts to build a better Africa. We may not always be politically correct in our approach, but our ideals remain focused on helping develop the country and fellow countrymen,” AMG said in a statement.
The company, which trades in numismatic coins and gold, said it had been “deeply saddened by the violence that took place in our beloved nation of Zimbabwe.”
Human rights groups say over a dozen people have been killed and over 80 others suffered bullet wounds after soldiers carried out door-to-door raids targeting people suspected to have participated in the protests.
AMG said it was “grateful to the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has promised justice for the victims of violence” – but human rights activists and opposition parties doubt there will be any consequences for the security forces brutality.
AMG said it remained committed to assist those who approach the organisation for humanitarian assistance arising from the ongoing crackdown.
“Our announcement last week was a non-political humanitarian programme to help victims of violence. This is a helping hand, not a begging hand and it is extended as means to uplift Africa,” the company said.
To contact AMG for humanitarian assistance e-mail: [email protected]
