News Editor
Center News Hub
Chivi — Health workers at Chivi district hospital have written a letter of complaint to health and political authorities in Masvingo Province raising serious concerns over recent eviction actions by senior staff at Chivi District Hospital.
The document alleges that eviction notices were served to key hospital personnel and that authority within the facility has been undermined, creating a hostile working environment for essential healthcare workers.
The concerns stem from a meeting held on January 5, 2025, at which senior hospital officials, including a Matron only identified as Madziva, Human Resources Officer Chibhadhi, and Deputy Environmental Health Officer Tivafukidze, reportedly issued eviction notices to senior nurses, ambulance drivers, and other critical staff.
The notices demanded that those affected vacate hospital accommodation within one week, without providing a lawful justification or following due process.
The letter gleaned by Center News Hub outlines several serious issues which include arbitrary evictions.
The staff members said the eviction notices were issued without adherence to the hospital’s housing allocation policy or a clear, justified rationale, a stance they described as intimidating and harassing toward colleagues.
The staff allege that the housing committee, chaired by Takarwirwa Tivafukidze, is alleged to be operating under political influence, leading to biased decision-making and favoritism.
The affected staff members warned that intimidation and uncertainty are demoralizing essential staff, with risks to patient care and emergency response capabilities.
The affected staff are calling for urgent intervention and several concrete steps which include the immediate suspension of the housing committee pending a full investigation.
They are also demanding a review and reinstatement of all eviction notices, ensuring alignment with hospital policy and labor laws.
They also demanded disciplinary measures against staff deemed to have acted inappropriately or abused authority as well as the establishment of a transparent and fair housing allocation process going forward.
“We respectfully request your urgent intervention to resolve this matter and restore stability and dignity to the staff of Chivi District Hospital,” read the letter.
The letter also notes that an appeal has been made to the Provincial Medical Director (PMD) to ensure that Dr James Murahwa, District Medical Officer (DMO) and the new Administrator, a Ms. Maoresa, resolve the matter and restore stability and dignity within the hospital.
DMO , Dr Murahwa dismissed the allegations by the hospital staff saying they the eviction notices were done above board as they plan to use the accommodation building for a nurse training school facility.
“They are misrepresenting facts, the evictions notices were done in October in line with the 3 months period required by policy and in December we reminded them again, they are claiming that the notice in October were not formally filed but they are aware that we gave them the notices, The buildings they are using is meant to be used as nurse training facility as you know were preparing to establish a nurse training school at the hospital so we have sound justification, “said Dr Murahwa.
He added that most of the staff facing evictions were drivers but the hospital gave them an option to share with others instead of totally leaving the hospital premises.
The letter was also addressed to Provincial affairs Minister Ezra Chadzamira and Provincial Medical Director, Dr Amedus Shamu among other provincial administrators, urge the authorities to act promptly to prevent disruptions to patient care and emergency services in the district.
