Farai Dziva|Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira has blocked the distribution of maize seed to perceived opposition supporters.
Villagers in Masvingo Central Constituency, ward 16, have called for an end to partisan distribution of government aid.
Former Zanu PF Councillor for ward 16 Last Jazi and Samuel Masimba Zambuko a war vet have reportedly seized the Presidential Agricultural Inputs Scheme, sidelining the sitting MDC Councillor Edmore Dhemba who was supposed to preside over the distribution of inputs.
Councillor Dhemba said he was blocked by Zanu PF officials from collecting the maize seed at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Masvingo depot at the last minute, after processing all the required papers and paying transport costs.
“ When I went to the GMB for collection I was told that the GMB was ordered by the office of the Minister of State for Masvingo Province Mr Chadzamira not to give me the seed (800KGs) until the beneficiary list was verified by party officials,”said Councillor Dhemba.
It was further reported that, Mr Jazi and Mr Zambuko convened the beneficiary selection meeting where the well-known opposition supported were turned away by the Zanu PF youth who proclaims that the maize seed was a donation to the party by President Cde Mnangagwa, therefore the scheme was strictly targeting Zanu PF supporters as beneficiaries.
On Tuesday 12 November 2019 Mr Jazi called for a distribution meeting in which those known for backing other political parties were being turned away immediately on arrival.
However, speaking to COTRAD the villagers stated that the distribution process which took almost two days was marred by disruptions and disputes as villagers staged a protest against Mr Jazi demanding the sitting Councillor Mr Dhemba to preside over the process. The villagers were calling for the distribution process to be non-selective along political lines since the seed was purchased through the taxpayers. The act by the Zanu PF officials was described by villagers as a threat to social unity and development.
COTRAD peace committee members for Masvingo ward 16 criticized the politicization of government aid as a major cause of conflict in rural areas.
“Partisan distribution of resources is detrimental to social unity, peace and development, therefore we expect community members to respect leadership hierarchy and protocols in community development” said the peace committee member.
As COTRAD we urge public officials to be ambassadors of peace and facilitators of development in a non-partisan manner.”
