By Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Chiredzi Central Member of Parliament (MPs), Ropafadzo Makumire, recently expressed worry over the potential politicization of food aid in rural areas.
Makumire was responding to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of The Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament where he highlighted that government would roll out a food assistance programme following the El Nino induced drought.
After the SONA, MPs were allowed to debate on the issues raised in the address, and Makumire highlighted the need to stop politicization of food aid as the government move towards assisting communities affected by drought.
He said food aid was being distributed on partisan lines, sabotaging the President’s effort to fight hunger across the country.
“The President, in his address, also mentioned the efforts being made by government of Zimbabwe in addressing drought. As much as I appreciate the efforts made so far, Mr Speaker Sir, I am concerned about how food aid is being distributed in some of the drought-stricken areas. We have noted with concern that some of the aid is being distributed on partisan lines,” said Makumire.
Makumire added that people were sabotaging such efforts and it had to be exposed. He said the school feeding scheme should also be introduced to secondary schools.
“I am flagging some of these issues to bring to light people who are sabotaging the efforts that are being made by the President. This has to be known, Mr Speaker Sir, in as much as the President is trying to feed the whole nation, people are sabotaging such efforts. We must expose that in this house.
“The President also mentioned the school feeding programme in areas that are stricken by drought, but from my experience, I have realized that the assistance is going towards primary schools. In secondary schools, they have not received anything, but these children will be coming from the same home without food, without anything. It is also important, Mr Speaker Sir, that secondary schools be considered for such programmes, “said Makumire.
Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, responded saying it was the Parliamentarians’ duty to expose such behaviour by raising the issues with him or the Minister of Social Welfare.
“The President’s mantra is leaving no one and no place behind so if there are instances of that sort, it is the responsibility of Honourable Members to raise the red flag and advise the Minister of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare, honourable July Moyo what is happening on the ground so that corrective action is taken,” said Mudenda.
Chiredzi District is among those who were heavily affected by El Nino as some farmers failed to harvest single grain and it is in these areas where suspected opposition members are denied their right to access food aid from the government which is being distributed along party lines.
