Zanu-PF to control food aid distribution

Brighton Chiseva

Zaka – Zaka Central legislator, Paradzai Chakona told supporters at a meeting held in Jerera last week that party officials will take over control of the Social Welfare food aid distribution in the district, saying it was Zanu-PF which sourced the food from outside the country.

Chakona gave credit to Zanu-PF MPs whom he claimed urged President Mugabe to declare a national disaster which resulted in different aid organisations coming on board.

He said the party must therefore play an active role  in the distribution of the food to people whom it deems appropriate.

“We Zanu-PF people should monitor the distribution because we are the ones who sought food for our people,” said Chakona.

He pointed to recent private press reports that MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai had written a letter to the United Nations (UN) requesting the suspension of aid because the aid was being politicised as evidence of opposition heartlessness.

Chakona, however, appeared to be contradicting himself when he claimed food aid was being distributed on non-partisan grounds only to later admit that he himself had distributed some maize to proven party supporters only.

“Last time, I gave maize which I had sourced to Zanu-PF members as a way of thanking them for voting for me,” he said.

Some villagers however claimed the maize had been donated by Tongaat Hullett and was meant for all needy people.  

The MP also indicated he will not work with opposition councillors even in matters of people’s welfare.

“I don’t have a councillor in this ward, maybe you have. I cannot work with an MDC councillor and I will rather work with my party leadership,” said Chakona.

Other Zanu-PF supporters present complained they did not have any influence in the ward as all committees were dominated by opposition sympathisers.

Others complained they were being asked to pay for treatment at Siyawareva clinic.

“The clinic committee is dominated by the MDC and we do not have any influence,” said one man.

Chakona assured the people he will deal with the matter before accusing the opposition of hijacking his electrification project through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and engaging ZESA which is now asking people to pay for electrification.

“Don’t pay and Zanu-PF will do it for you, you will just pay for connection,” said Chakona.news