Tinotenda Hove – Masvingo Urban MP Honourable Martin Mureri, Senator Maggie Chakabuda and proportional representation MP Honourable Tendeukai Matara have stepped in to provide accommodation and basic support to homeless vendor Gladys Madlame, whose ordeal has drawn national attention.

The three legislators intervened after Madlame revealed that she had been sleeping in the open at the Croco Motors bus rank in Masvingo. Moved by her circumstances, the MPs jointly secured a rented house for her in Masvingo Urban Ward 1, complete with electricity and piped water, and committed to covering the rent and essentials for several months.

Honourable Matara said the assistance was meant to help Madlame regain her footing. “Myself, Senator Chakabuda alongside Honourable Mureri have secured a decent accommodation for the lady. We will pay rent and provide basics for three months while she builds herself up,” he said.

Madlame’s plight escalated on 14 January 2026 when she was arrested at SimRac Shopping Complex for allegedly vending tomatoes without a permit. She spent two nights in police custody, after which the charge was reportedly changed to indecent exposure, a move that has been widely criticised. She appeared in court this week but was advised that the matter had been postponed to a later date.

Public anger intensified after a video circulated online showing three male police officers dragging Madlame away as her child cried nearby. The footage sparked outrage across the country and renewed debate about the treatment of informal traders amid Zimbabwe’s harsh economic conditions.

Further compounding her difficulties, police allegedly destroyed her tomatoes during the arrest, leaving her without capital to restart her vending business. With no income and nowhere to stay, her situation had become dire.

The intervention by the three opposition lawmakers has been widely welcomed as an act of compassion and practical solidarity. Their support, observers say, goes beyond words at a time when vulnerable citizens are struggling to survive.

Support for Madlame has continued to grow, with members of the public offering assistance. Those willing to help can contact her on 077 962 4332, a number registered with EcoCash.
At court, the MPs were joined by community figures including Mrs Moyana, wife to activist Jerry Moyana, and Masvingo United Residents Associations chairperson Thomas Mbetu. Their presence, alongside journalists and residents, underscored the level of concern and solidarity surrounding the case.

As Madlame works to rebuild her life, her story has become a powerful symbol of resilience, highlighting both the hardships faced by informal traders and the importance of humane leadership and community support in times of crisis.