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| Josaya Hungwe |
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Senior Zanu PF members in Masvingo have complained about the existence of an elaborate scheme by people from outside the province to perpetually grab all economic opportunities for themselves while marginalising the local people.
They said the country’s resources in the agriculture and tourism sectors were benefiting people from other provinces.
Addressing Zanu PF delegates at an inter-district meeting held at Chitsanga Hall last week, Zanu PF provincial chairman Ezra Chadzamira bemoaned the deplorable economic circumstances of the ordinary Chiredzi man and woman, blaming their plight on outside influence.
“Chiredzi is the hub of Zimbabwe’s economy but to my surprised you are all still poor, why? Because various people from other provinces come to exploit our resources after making use of a few people in the district for advocacy. We should never be used by individuals,” said Chadzamira.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Josaya Hungwe expressed no less bitter remarks while addressing district administrators and heads of departments of local authority at Hippo Valley Country Club.
He said he curtailed the mooted hijack of Tokwe-Mukosi projects planning by corrupt official from outside the province, whom he said wanted a wholesale relocation of thousands of Chivi villagers to Mashonaland East to pave way for their grand schemes of greed.
“Some people from outside the province would have been brought to benefit from our dam by grabbing plots, but I refused. We need an independent body which will reserve a certain percentage for the people of Masvingo,” said Hungwe.
Addressing a provincial coordination committee meeting at Victoria Junior School in Masvingo two weeks ago, Zanu PF national political commissar Rtd Lt Gen Engelbert Rugeje said economic opportunities in the province must prioritise locals.
“Nyaya yeTokwe Mukosi neBeit Bridge Road zvinhu izvozvo ngazvikasire kuitwa. Tione vana vedu vemuno muMasvingo muno umu varivo vanotanga kuwana zvinowanikwa ipapo. Hatiti vekunze havauyi aiwazve. Kana uriwe watsikwa, unotanga kupakurirawozve vana vako, wozopakurirawo vaeni kana vauyazve.
“Zvino kana tikazoonekwa isusu hatina kana chedu muTokwe Mukosi, hatina kana chedu muBeit Bridge Road, handifungi kuti tinenge tichiita zvakanaka semusangano uye seMasvingo province. Let us make sure that our children benefit from local economic programmes,” said Rugeje.
The issue of lack of equitable distribution of resources continue to spur the devolution campaign, with activist criticising government for deliberately failing to fully implement the constitution which provides for the setting up of devolved systems of governance.local
