…as Svuure, Marapira clash over input distribution
… CCC distributes to own members
Brighton Chiseva
ZAKA – Zanu PF’ Zaka District Coordinating Committee (DCC) recently clashed with one of the district central committee member and deputy minister of agriculture Davies Marapira over presidential inputs distribution.
Most Zaka DCC members were complaining that the district’s Grain Marketing Board (GMB) management was overshadowing party officials when it comes to the distribution of inputs.
In a leaked WhatsApp conversation from Zaka DCC, the committee vice chairperson Davison Svuure who is reportedly going to lock horns in Zaka Central with Marapira in primary elections said while it was noble idea for government departments to do the distribution, they were supposed to do it in sync with Zanu PF leadership.
“My honest opinion on the inputs distribution issue is that, while the participating government department who are also the main players, GMB and Agritex, should be allowed to do their work, it is important to note that their work must also be coherent and be in sync with the aspirations of the party. What do we want to achieve as a party after government officials have done their work, is what should continuously ring in our minds.
“There are complaints coming from various wards where party leadership has been relegated to mere bystanders while the government officials with the powers so vested in them, wantonly distribute inputs in a manner which leaves the party exposed and I don’t read that as what Cabinet intended,” read the message sent by Svuure.
He went on to tell Marapira, who had promised to come on the ground, that apart from being on the ground he should also listen to reports presented to him by the party members.
“I recommend that, apart from observations from physical visits, let’s also take as equally important reports that come from the various wards, where none of us here is able to be, all the time.
“At the end of the day, we need to strike a delicate balance between allowing vashandi ve Hurumende (civil servants) kuti vaite basa ravo (to do their work) and on the other hand kuona (to see) its implications to the party, especially this season which precedes elections,” he added.
Svuure went on to say Zanu PF was facing a big threat from Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in the district whose party members were countering Zanu PF and distributing maize seed to people.
“Only yesterday there was a group of CCC people in full yellow and in broad day light, were teasing Zanu PF members, including the District chair kuti ‘rwendo runo makaura ,muchawana mbeu kana isu tadzokorora’. I’m aware a report on this has been taken to the relevant party structures. I did receive it. They were boasting because in this particular ward, all known CCC members were given inputs ahead of party (Zanu PF) members, even ahead of the district chair! Chairman havana kuwana ma inputs as I speak…is this what we want? The answer is NO,” he wrote.
DCC women’s league chairperson Florence Mukau chipped in, in support of Svuure saying CCC was making inroads and distributing goodies in various wards of the district.
In his response Marapira said no matter what the concerns were, nothing was going to change in as far as the distribution of inputs is concerned and strongly warned members to respect the circular on inputs distribution.
“Let me kindly warn this group, nothing will change as far as the Presidential input scheme is concerned. We all have to support our government. I personally know what was happening especially at GMB Zaka. Anyone who wants more information, come to my inbox.
“Party leaders let’s not produce our own list of organizations and take them to GMB. Such lists should be taken directly to the Minister of Lands Agriculture Fisheries Water and Rural Development for approval. We should not confuse the distribution modalities set by my ministry. All lists taken to GMB will not be processed unless if they follow the normal channel,” wrote Marapira.
DCC chairperson who is the deputy minister of finance and Zaka East MP Clemence Chiduwa said reducing input quantities during run up to elections was going to affect the party.
“Minister, you are doing your work but coming up with climatic regions in Zaka and reducing quantities towards elections is to counter what we want as a party. For me, I have said what is supposed to be done. We seem to be all wrong except GMB and Hon Marapira. The genuine issues we raise will be misconstrued to appear like it’s personal. What is currently happening is only obtaining in Zaka. As DCC chairpersons, we share information and it’s sad we act like Pfumvudza programme started yesterday. A full DCC meeting is required so that we get political direction on what is happening. We also need to, communicate the correct message to our structures.
“Hon Marapira favors your district by giving them more inputs and having timely disbursements instead of weather zones related downsizing of quantities towards elections. Hakuna ari kutaura nezve ZANU PF pambeu (No one is talking about Zanu PF during seed distribution). Is GMB a Non-Governmental Organization? Is it illegal kutaura kuti mbeu yakabva kwa president (to say the inputs are coming from the President). Why do we want to show that in ward 22 of Zaka West CCC is giving 5 kg but ZANU PF is giving 2 kg. This is happening this year because of what. Hon Mavhenyengwa, this is your district. Let’s benefit from our children who have been appointed to higher positions,” said Chiduwa.
Another group participant and provincial member Wellington Chakona said the civil servants in charge of distribution were a nuisance and suggested that all extension workers be transferred as they were all sympathetic to CCC.
“Honourable I suggest kuti madhumeni edu ese emu Zaka vangomuka vabviswa muma ward mavari uri muward 19 unomuka ave KwaMushaya uko waramba zvavharana ngava change mawards kunyanya vemu ward 19 just transfer madhumeni iwayo to other wards hazvina noise ivo voga vachaziva kuti chiii, (Honourable I suggest that all extension workers be transferred for they are sympathetic to CCC. All who do not want transfer should just be relieved of their duties)” said Chakona.
However, the matter was put to rest after Marapira sensed the gravity of the discussions and went on to ask if the group was water tight but other members including Aleta Makomeke said the group wasn’t and it was not surprising to see the chats elsewhere.
