The funeral of Zandile Tshuma and her two daughters in Bulawayo has sparked renewed discussion regarding high rates of gender-based violence in Zimbabwe.
Key facts
- •Zandile Tshuma and her two daughters were found dead in their UK home on July 6.
- •Bedfordshire police are seeking the return of a suspect from South Africa.
- •Nearly 40% of Zimbabwean women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence.
- •Musasa reported more than 30,000 gender-based violence incidents in 2024.
- •The UN estimates the cost of gender-based violence in Zimbabwe at up to $2 billion.
Zandile Tshuma, 42, and her daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, 5, were laid to rest in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, last week after being found dead in their home in Great Denham, Bedfordshire, on July 6. The case has drawn significant attention in Zimbabwe and South Africa, highlighting regional concerns over femicide. Bedfordshire police are currently working to return a British-Zimbabwean man from South Africa to the UK in connection with the murders.
By the numbers
Domestic Violence Statistics in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe does not maintain specific data on femicide, but government statistics indicate that nearly 40% of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with 12% to 25% having been sexually assaulted. The organization Musasa reported over 30,000 gender-based violence (GBV) incidents in 2024, while police recorded nearly 19,000 cases. During Covid-19 lockdowns, GBV reports in the country rose by 60%.
Calls for Social and Policy Reform
Government officials and advocates are calling for urgent action to address the country's social fabric and domestic violence rates. Judith Ncube, minister of state for provincial affairs, noted that the Matabeleland region has the highest rates of intimate partner violence in the country. She proposed community-based programs involving elders and pastors to intervene in family disputes. Similarly, advocates like Samkeliso Tshuma of The Girls Table emphasized the need for public education to challenge attitudes that justify abuse.
Economic Impact of Gender-Based Violence
A study by the Swedish International Development Agency and the United Nations estimated the direct and indirect costs of gender-based violence in Zimbabwe at up to $2 billion. This figure accounts for injury, trauma, death, lost productivity, and school dropouts. Miranda Tabifor of the UN Population Fund warned that the government could continue to lose up to 3.8% of its $57 billion GDP if the issue remains unaddressed.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Guardian Global Development.
