Communities in Buhera South last week accused Zanu PF politicians of hijacking food aid projects in the hunger-stricken district.
The Standard managed to attend an event where people were each given a bucket of maize at Mutiusinazita Business Centre last week. “This is maize for Zanu PF supporters only, we don’t want to see any MDC-T people here. We got it from Cde (Joseph) Chinotimba so we are only giving it to the people from our party,” said a man who identified himself only as Marupiya.
However, some villagers were unmoved and they accused Chinotimba of being selfish. Chinotimba confirmed that he was giving people maize in Buhera but dismissed claims that its distribution was being politicised. “Yes we are giving all the people in the constituency, not only those from my party. Even if I give those from my party, why can’t MDC look for their own maize?” said Chinotimba.
The District Administrator Rolland Madondo down-played the issue saying food aid programmes were administered by the traditional leadership. The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has alleged that hungry villagers were being denied food handouts and forced to denounce their own parties in return for assistance as marauding Zanu PF militants continue to wage war of attrition against perceived political enemies.
ZPP alleges that Zanu PF is using local councillors, village heads, and traditional chiefs to sideline MDC supporters in rural areas from government food lists that are used when distributing food. — Tawanda Marwizi
