By Own Correspondent| Government has in the past two weeks, disbursed nearly $8 million to over 47 000 households towards urban food deficit mitigation as part of efforts to cushion needy families during the Covid-19 lockdown, the state media has reported.
Addressing the media at a Post Cabinet Presser Tuesday, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube said government was using “an algorithm” to determine beneficiaries of the COVID-19 cushioning fund.
He however did not explain details on the modalities of the logarithm and whether it would ensure inclusivity of citizens’ diversity.
The state media however reported that at least $3,8 million was released to at least 21 431 households in Harare and Bulawayo, while more than $4 million was extended to 26 140 households in small towns such as Bindura, Kariba, Kwekwe, Gwanda, Plumtree, Shurugwi, Mvuma and Beitbridge.
Citizens who spoke to ZimEye, however said they were not sure of who had benefited from the funds adding that it was highly likely that Zanu Pf stalwarts were the beneficiaries of the money.
Said Daisy Mutonge from Mbare:
“I dont think that the money was distributed anywhere but it is sitting somewhere in someone’s pocket. This is the norm in Zanu Pf.”
Added an Epworth woman, Beatrice Chimbenga:
“Only Zanu Pf supporters’ names were written by their leaders and all those suspected to belong to opposition were told that they were not getting anything.”
However, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima said cash payments had replaced grain allocations in urban areas.
Registration of beneficiaries was reportedly ongoing and was scheduled for completion before the end of this month and Government had scaled up cash disbursements.
Reported the state media:
“Prof Mavima revealed that a total of 63 000 households in 23 poorest districts of the country had also been supported.
The programme was aimed at strengthening household economies, building resilience to deficits and reducing negative coping mechanism.
A total of $25,2 million had been disbursed since January 2020 and the payments were being done using EcoCash.
The benefiting districts included Buhera, Binga, Bulilima, Chivi, Mwenezi, Mudzi, Gokwe North, Zvimba, Mazowe, Rushinga, Goromonzi, Mutare, Gweru, Chipinge, Makoni, Bindura, Zvishavane, Kariba, Mangwe, Umguza, Mzilikazi, St Mary’s (Chitungwiza) and Epworth (Harare).