Biti should stop taking people from Matabeleland for granted: Ibhetshu

FINANCE Minister Tendai Biti should stop taking people from Matabeleland for granted by issuing empty statements over serious developmental issues affecting the region, a Bulawayo-based pressure group said.

The information and publicity secretary of Ibhetshu LikaZulu, Mr Mqondisi Moyo, said the ongoing debate over the under-development of Matabeleland was a sensitive issue that called for serious minded people. Mr Moyo was responding to Mr Biti's recent remarks where he said Matabeleland was lagging behind other regions in development and claimed he would push for the completion of all outstanding projects in the region.

Mr Biti was quoted as saying the region was a victim of "uneven and unequal" development. However, Mr Moyo said Mr Biti, who is also MDC-T secretary-general, was not sincere. He accused him of seeking political mileage out of the region's problems. "Mr Biti must not be taken seriously over his sentiments about the marginalisation of Matabeleland. He is the same minister who has failed to allocate significant funds for the region's development projects since he came into office in 2009," said Mr Moyo.

"We have never seen his sincerity when it comes to the allocation of resources. As far we are concerned he is just playing a political game to gain political mileage at the expense of the region. "The issue of development in Matabeleland is very sensitive and Mr Biti and his MDC-T cronies should stop playing games. We know that there is nothing he can do for the region. People expect practical development on the ground and not cheap politics."

Mr Moyo said development projects from Matabeleland have "never" received substantial funding from the national budget. He made reference to last year's mid-term fiscal policy statement that was presented to Parliament by Minister Biti. Mr Moyo said the statement exposed deep-seated hypocrisies that have permeated the MDC-T politics. In the statement, Mr Biti reported that from a total of US$32,2 million that was earmarked for road maintenance and rehabilitation across the country, only US$15 million was allocated to local authorities.

On that allocation Beitbridge, Gwanda, Hwange, Matopo and Nkayi got US$241 847, which translated to 1,6 percent of the total allocation. Mr Moyo said the figure was a far cry of the S$2 590 000 allocated to Bindura district alone, which had the highest allocation, followed by Zvimba which got US$2 070 809 and Mhondoro-Ngezi US$830 000. Mr Moyo said Mr Biti showed his true colours and disregard of the people of Matabeleland then. He demanded that the minister explains the criteria he used to allocate those funds.

"We want him to explain how he allocates the funds. That was a big blunder and we have not forgotten. If he cannot explain to us then no one will take him seriously from this region," said Mr Moyo.

He said the Matabeleland region was endowed with a lot of natural resources but was not receiving maximum benefit from them because the budget allocations were skewed in favour of other regions. He challenged Mr Biti to come up with a policy that would ensure that the region benefited from its natural resources and that it received a fair share of the national cake. Mr Moyo commended Zanu-PF for taking pro-active measures to address the development issues in the region by setting up committees to work on the issue.

He, however, urged the Zanu-PF leadership to be consistent in what they are saying and go an extra mile towards implementing the programmes they formulate. Mr Moyo went on to say there was a need for political inclusivity when discussing development issues in the region. He said political parties should set their differences aside and have a vision that transcends their political affiliations.

"Our leaders should learn to live above their political affiliations when it come to development. The region has been suppressed because of these political divisions. It is high time that we see action on the ground so that these leaders gain credibility. At the moment people see figures that are preoccupied with enriching themselves," he said.

Mr Moyo said the marginalisation of Matabeleland was real and could not be wished away. He said his organisation was advocating for devolution of power. Mr Moyo's sentiments come at a time when there is a raging debate over the alleged marginalisation of Matabeleland. Several senior politicians from the region that include Vice- President John Nkomo, Deputy President of the Senate, Cde Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu, Bulawayo Governor Cain Mathema, Zapu president Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube and former Mayor, Cde Joshua Teke Malinga have offered their opinions on the issue.