FIRST Lady Grace Mugabe is reportedly doling out
second-hand clothes to Zanu PF MPs to start campaigning ahead of next year’s
harmonised elections.
The second-hand clothes are believed to have been
confiscated at points of entry by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra).
In a random survey yesterday, some legislators said they
had already received their consignments, while others said they were yet to be
called for collection.
Although they were coy on revealing more, the distribution
was reportedly being done at State House.
Buhera South legislator Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu PF) said he
was yet to collect his allocation, but said he would not discriminate along
partisan lines when distributing, adding there was nothing amiss with the
donations.
“This is just like when Mrs (Elizabeth) Tsvangirai went and
donated some items to MDC people in Bulawayo. Everyone can do that.
“The First Lady is not a government official, she is not a
minister, but a politician and the secretary for women’s affairs in Zanu PF and
not MDC,” he said.
Kadoma Central legislator Fani Phiri (Zanu PF) said he had
already taken his consignment.
“As usual, these items will be given to the destitute,
vulnerable families and child-headed families,” he said, although he denied the
donation was part of the campaigning resources.
“If you ask people in Kadoma, they will tell you that we
always give to everyone. We don’t look at politics because poverty knows no
politics.”
Phiri said he would not know of finer details of the source
of the second-hand clothes, as he had sent someone to collect them on his
behalf.
Other legislators declined to speak on record, although
they acknowledged the donation was part of their campaign strategy.
At her own rallies, Grace doles out various goodies
including clothes and groceries.
In 2015 at Murombedzi growth point in Zvimba, Grace shocked
her audience by disclosing that second-hand clothes confiscated from vendors by
municipal police, State security agents and Zimra at the country’s border posts
and in major city centres were being handed over to her for distribution to
Zanu PF supporters.
According to the Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02],
any goods seized by Zimra should be sold through a public auction, meaning
Grace’s donations could be illegal.
Zanu PF is leaving no stone unturned to ensure it retains
power against the ill-funded opposition parties, many of whom are expected to
contest under the MDC Alliance. newsday
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