Terrence Mawawa, Zaka | Hungry and desperate villagers, including people with disabilities, were forced to chant Zanu PF slogans by the local District Administrator in order to access food aid.
The Assistant District Administrator for Zaka District, Gift Machuleke, virtually turned a Social Welfere food distribution exercise at Vanyoro Community Hall, ward 23 Zaka last week, into a Zanu PF rally when he ordered the hungry and desperate villagers to chant slogans praising President Robert Mugabe.
The constitution of Zimbabwe clearly indicates that civil cervants are not allowed to participate in political activities. In a total violation of the consitution Machucheke, chanted the usual Zanu PF maxims before ordering the villagers, including people with disabilities to recite the slogans. Villagers accused the government official of hijacking the non political gathering to campaign for Zanu PF.
“The social welfare food aid programme is for the socially disadvantaged but we were shocked when Machucheke instructed us to chant Zanu PF slogans,” said a local villager.
Despite claims by the government that there is no politicisation of food aid villagers across the country are being denied access to relief if they are not affiliated to Zanu PF.
Machucheke also announced also vetted participants in the food for work programme, eliminating perceived opposition supporters in the process. “Everthing has been politicised. Even the CARE vouchers will be received by Zanu PF supporters,” said another villager.