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TSHABALALA residents on Thursday last week forced the
abandonment of a maize distribution exercise as they protested the hijacking of
the programme by Zanu PF officials in the area, Southern Eye established.
Government, in partnership with the World Food Programme
(WFP), is distributing food aid to hungry urbanites, particularly the
vulnerable such as the elderly and orphans across the country.
Food monitoring agencies estimate that over 1,5 million
urban dwellers are facing severe food shortages, a situation worsened by the
harsh economic climate.
There have been several reports of Zanu PF officials
hijacking the food aid programme despite the ruling party’s denials, and on
Thursday, frustrated Tshabalala’s ward 21 residents protested the unfair
distribution exercise, forcing it to be abandoned.
The incident took place at Tshabalala Hall. Ward 21
councillor Tinewimbo Maphosa (MDC Alliance) confimed the protests.“What
happened on Thursday is that known Zanu PF members were distributing aid to
their supporters and disgruntled residents, including war veterans and youths,
then confronted the officials and told them that what they were doing was
illegal,” the councillor said.
Maphosa said following an intervention by the Labour,
Public Service and Social Welfare ministry officials, the residents agreed that
going forward, the food distribution would be done by church representatives.
“The residents agreed that no politician should be involved
in the distribution of food. These Zanu PF politicians were leaving out
deserving people and giving the aid to their own people. If you look at Sizinda
and Tshabalala, there are a lot of widows and orphans,” he said.
About three weeks ago, Zanu PF politburo member Absalom
Sikhosana complained to Vice-President Kembo Mohadi that social welfare
officials were sidelining Zanu PF officials from food distribution in the city.
Last week, Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said those
who claim party officials were hijacking the government food aid programmes
must report to party offices. Newsday
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