By Tendai Makaripe
The Simbarashe Dande GoFundMe dispute has escalated into an online clash between ZANU-PF youth official Taurai Kandishaya and fundraiser Violet Makunike as questions mount over donations raised in the boy’s name.
Kandishaya, ZANU-PF Youth League deputy political commissar, has urged Zimbabweans to stop donating and to pressure Makunike publicly.
“Comrades, as medical efforts are underway for Simbarashe, let’s spread the message that GoFundMe is no longer necessary,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
“Kindly put Violet Makunike in the spotlight, constantly check her posts, and bombard her with comments of truth. No one needs to pay for Simba’s medical bills. GoFundMe must stop now. Media, both local and international, here is your job.”
Makunike is the founder and executive director of Hope for Zimbabwe Children, which has been associated online with fundraising appeals for Simbarashe.
She pushed back in her own posts, arguing that the boy’s plight reflected failures by authorities rather than a dispute over donations.
“The actual TRUTH is Simbarashe was neglected by the Zimbabwe govt and the Ministry of Health and Child Care,” she wrote.
As the two traded accusations, Kandishaya posted in Shona: “Ichasvika nguva yekuti wese anechaaakadya muzita raSimbarashe achirutse. NDATENDA.”
The confrontation later spilt into a direct public exchange after Kandishaya accused Makunike of overstepping and suggested that she was demanding updates she was not entitled to.
“Madam, act responsibly; you’re a few meters from crossing our line. It’s public knowledge the boy is at Arundel Hospital,” he wrote.
“The most important people to know daily updates are: 1. His family. 2. Local leadership. I never said let’s keep it confidential; I said leave the boy with his mother. We can’t give you daily updates as if we’re reporting to you. Avoid confrontation with us at all costs.”
Makunike replied beneath his comment, challenging the warning and referencing a radio appearance.
“The message you sent me is very clear, Mr Taurai. What line am I a few metres from crossing? Didn’t you cross the line on the radio today? You, too, avoid confrontation with me at all costs,” she quipped.
The dispute has played out alongside developments in Simbarashe’s treatment. Doctors at Arundel Hospital in Harare are testing Simbarashe Dande’s facial tumour and carrying out a blood transfusion, according to Kandishaya, after images of the 11-year-old boy from Murewa in Mashonaland East province with a large facial growth sparked widespread public appeals for help.
Simbarashe is admitted at Arundel Hospital after he was transported from Murewa over the weekend by an ambulance sent by businessman and philanthropist Kudakwashe Tagwirei, according to posts shared online.
“Tests are being done on the tumour, and it was also discovered that Simba has less blood than needed, hence the need to add 10 pints. So the blood transfusion procedure is currently underway,” Kandishaya wrote.
In the same post, Kandishaya alleged that Makunike took Simbarashe’s medical documents from his mother, leaving clinicians to begin “a fresh start”, a claim that has intensified the online fight over fundraising, transparency and who should control the boy’s case.
“Note that the medical procedure on Simba is a fresh start since Ma’am Violet, out of good care, took all the medical documents from the mother. No cards, no written history, no written background. However, our medical team is very positive that we’ll overcome …” Kandishaya added.
As the exchange intensified, some comment threads turned hostile, including posts that appeared to threaten Makunike with jail time.
Jonathan Malucy Matindike wrote: “It seems to be too late, my sister, you might end up in Orange uniforms behind bars.”
Makunike responded: “Mambofunga here musati mataura my brother,” a Shona phrase meaning, “Did you think before speaking?”
Other comments escalated into abusive language.
One commenter wrote: “Violet, deep down, you know your time is up. Let me tell you something, you disgusting, pathetic, sorry excuse of a human being. 1 day is 1 day, and trust me, that day is near. If you like, pin this comment. Puuuuu.”
The online fight has also revived scrutiny of the fundraising figures themselves, with supporters asking what accounting exists for donations raised over the years and what happens to fundraising drives once circumstances change.
A GoFundMe campaign linked to Simbarashe’s case was created in 2019 under a title referencing a target of US$235,656 and lists Makunike as the organiser.
The renewed public dispute has put fresh focus on what happens to money already raised as Simbarashe undergoes tests and treatment in Harare and supporters debate whether further fundraising is still justified.
