By Terrence Mawawa| Members of the dreaded Zanu PF militia, have openly defied President Robert Mugabe’s calls to distribute food aid in a non-partisan manner.
Speaking during his belated birthday celebrations, President Mugabe said: “Food is distributed to people regardless of their affiliations. In the rural areas, you don’t go asking, are you Zanu PF, are you not. No we don’t mind the politics of the people.”
“It doesn’t matter to which party they belong whether it be MDC-T or MDC-Z or what or People First, or People second or people third, we just give them,” he continued.
Cynics have, however, quickly pointed out that Mugabe’s utterances were loaded with cheap political grandstanding meant to hoodwink the nation into believing he was a leader with people’s needs at heart.
In defiance, Zanu PF youths last week, told hundreds of hungry residents at Tsungubvi Community Hall in Glendale that only card carrying party members would benefit from the food distribution exercise despite the dire need for relief in the community.
Further compounded by Zanu PF party members who include, Mathias Tongofa an ex-soldier based in Chivi North constituency, who threatened to kill villagers who frequent his homestead seeking relief.
Glendale residents told ZimEye.com ,the youths erased names of suspected opposition members and replaced them with known Zanu PF activists.
In defiance of President Mugabe’s directive, it is understood that one Blessing and a Mr Malunga (address known) of Glendale spearheaded the vetting process, Zimeye.com can further reveal that the two threatened that ‘sellouts’ meaning opposition members, would be denied food.
“Zanu PF youths are compiling lists on partisan basis. Those who do not belong to the ruling party are being left out of the process. The situation is really tense here,” said one resident.
Those who do not attend Zanu PF meetings are also being left out of the food distribution processes.
“On April 8 , Malunga and Blessing told us that those who do not support Zanu PF should vacate the place since they would not receive food aid,” said a local resident who chose to remain anonymous.
Furthermore, Bikita South Constituency MP Jeppy Jaboon, said opposition supporters would not be considered in the food distribution process, while in Gutu West Constituency, kraal-heads who openly chant Zanu PF maxims have warned that villagers would starve if they don’t join the ruling party.