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Mrs Agnes Mongoro and her formerly conjoined twins Kupakwashe and Tapiwanashe soon after arriving at their home in Murehwa yesterday— (Picture by Innocent Makawa)

Peter Matambanadzo Senior Reporter
Conjoined twins that were successfully separated in July are recuperating and have been taken to their home in Murehwa for the first time since they were operated on.
This was the first major operation to be performed in Zimbabwe.

Tapiwanashe and Kupakwashe Chitiyo, who were born conjoined from the diaphragm to the abdomen and also sharing one liver, arrived safely at the rented, one-roomed house in Murehwa yesterday afternoon.

The twins and their parents Mr Moses Chitiyo and Agnes Mongoro, were transported in Mashanoland East Minister of State for provincial Affairs Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa’s official Mercedes Benz S300.

The twins were discharged from Harare Children’s Hospital where they were operated on.

When The Herald visited the family yesterday afternoon, Mr Chitiyo said he was happy to be back home and thanked the doctors, President Mugabe and the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe, Cde Mudarikwa and everyone who assisted during his time of need.

“I want to thank them for their kindness and support. I really appreciate all the assistance I received,” he said.

Mr Chitiyo, who is a fruit and vegetable vendor at Murehwa Centre, said he still required assistance as his business could not sustain his big family.

Cde Mudarikwa said he was in talks with Murehwa Council officials to organise a stand and funds to build a house for the Chitiyo family.

“We have plans to build a house for the family and I have since approached council,” he said.

Cde Mudarikwa said he had also provided the family with groceries and other requirements they needed immediately.

He also offered the family to use any of his vehicles for transport whenever they took the twins for medical check-ups. The twins have touched the hearts of many Zimbabweans including President Mugabe and Amai Mugabe who visited them soon after they were operated on at Harare Children’s Hospital and showered the twins with various goodies that included an assortment of baby clothes, diapers, milk and blankets among others.

The conjoined twins were born on April 22 this year.