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development would see tens of thousands of old people domiciled mainly in Old People’s Homes getting assistance from the Government.
The elderly are currently facing serious challenges surviving on handouts from well-wishers due to lack of adequate Government assistance and support.

However, Labour and Social Services Minister Ms Paurina Mpariwa at the weekend said the Bill on the Elderly, which targets people who are 65 years and above, was nearing completion and would soon be presented in Parliament soon.

Speaking after donating blankets at the Mucheke Old People’s Home in Masvingo, Minister Mpariwa said Government was concerned about the increasing number of vulnerable old people in Zimbabwe.
She said the Bill would make sure that the social protection of specifically old people was under the country’s statutes especially with an increase in the number of vulnerable old people.

‘’We are finalising the crafting of a Bill on the Elderly that will soon be presented in Parliament.
“The Bill seeks to prioritise and police the social protection of old people by Government.

“It will be ready very soon for presentation to parliament and its creation was motivated by the need for Government to substantially increase its support to old people especially those who are vulnerable.
“The move to craft the Bill on the Elderly was also out of the realisation that the number of vulnerable old people has been increasing at a very high rate as young people who should be looking after old people are

the ones who are dying first owing the HIV and Aids pandemic,” she said.
The minister said most old people had been neglected by Government hence the need for a law that makes it mandatory for the State to support the old.
Minister Mpariwa said the law would put in pla-ce mechanisms where Government would vet the old people who would benefit from Government assistance.

“We are looking at people who are 65 years and above who we are classifying as old people but not all old people are vulnerable so we will vet them to identify intended beneficiaries.”