Minister Tatenda Mavetera Responds to Allegations of Inadequate Child Protection
HARARE – ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera has responded to accusations from war veteran and activist Blessed Geza, who alleges that the government has failed to address increasing instances of child exploitation.
Geza claims that cases of both physical and digital child abuse have risen under Mavetera’s leadership, fueling national concern.
The allegations, reported by Zimeye and later amplified by public reaction, have sparked widespread discussion.
Mavetera, addressing the issue through social media, emphasized her ministry’s progress in combatting digital exploitation. “Protecting the most vulnerable in our society is a priority. We have implemented strong measures to ensure digital spaces are safe for children,” she stated.
The minister highlighted initiatives such as enhanced cybersecurity protocols, awareness campaigns on safe internet practices and collaboration with global child protection organizations as evidence of her administration’s commitment.
Despite these efforts, Geza remains critical. He has proposed an independent inquiry to address what he describes as a significant rise in child exploitation cases, asserting that the current approach does not comprehensively address both digital and physical threats to children.
According to Geza, more robust measures are required to effectively safeguard minors across all environments.
The debate has grown, with social media users sharing mixed reactions. While some have commended Mavetera’s focus on online safety, others have urged the government to broaden its approach to include physical protection measures.
In the coming weeks, the ICT Ministry is expected to outline further steps in its strategy, which could shape the national conversation on child protection as public scrutiny intensifies
