News / Local
MP Chiwa denies MDC-T councillors maize grain
09 May 2016 at 01:47hrs | Views
Two Chiredzi MDC Councillors Gibson Hwende and Efison Mupfumba are up in arms with Zanu PF Chiredzi West MP Darlington Chiwa after he denied them access to maize donated by Tongaat Hullet.
Masvingo Mirror reported that Hwende who is councillor for Ward 1 in Chiredzi Urban and Mupfumba for Ward 18 in Chiredzi Rural confirmed to The Mirror that they are the only councillors in Chiredzi who were denied access to the maize.
Chiwa confirmed the development and said that the affected councillors were not getting the maize because they were not Zanu PF.
They accused Chiwa and Zanu PF of politically abusing food aid programs and refusing to work with them due to their political affiliation saying the share which was supposed to go to their wards was given to Zanu PF youths and war veterans at the expense of vulnerable groups who deserve it.
"Maize from Tongaat was handed over to MPs who were supposed to work with councillors to identify beneficiaries but in my case all other councillors were called to a meeting but I was excluded. I went to the DA but was told that the process was under the MP and efforts to get his attention were fruitless. I only realised that it is their party position to exclude me since I am from MDC. It is quite surprising to see a legislature who crafts the law and should stand for the people not the party doing this since food is a right for everyone," said Hwende.
Mupfumba said the maize was grown in his ward which is Triangle. He said there are many vulnerable people in his ward but was surprised when maize from Tongaat Hullet was given to a Zanu PF ward Chair who signed papers at DA`s office as village head.
"I don't have any idea of how the maize was distributed in my ward, I only heard that it was given to a Zanu PF chairperson who signed papers at the DA's office as a village head. As usual they do it on partisan ground and all government officials and departments work according to Zanu PF instructions and the maize was given to youths and war veterans instead of deserving people," said Mupfumba.
"It is a Zanu PF programme, I don't see the reason why they should cry. Are those councillors willing to join Zanu PF. What l know is vulnerable groups from those wards benefitted through other structures we used since we identified all of them through the office of Social Welfare," said Chiwa
Masvingo Mirror reported that Hwende who is councillor for Ward 1 in Chiredzi Urban and Mupfumba for Ward 18 in Chiredzi Rural confirmed to The Mirror that they are the only councillors in Chiredzi who were denied access to the maize.
Chiwa confirmed the development and said that the affected councillors were not getting the maize because they were not Zanu PF.
They accused Chiwa and Zanu PF of politically abusing food aid programs and refusing to work with them due to their political affiliation saying the share which was supposed to go to their wards was given to Zanu PF youths and war veterans at the expense of vulnerable groups who deserve it.
Mupfumba said the maize was grown in his ward which is Triangle. He said there are many vulnerable people in his ward but was surprised when maize from Tongaat Hullet was given to a Zanu PF ward Chair who signed papers at DA`s office as village head.
"I don't have any idea of how the maize was distributed in my ward, I only heard that it was given to a Zanu PF chairperson who signed papers at the DA's office as a village head. As usual they do it on partisan ground and all government officials and departments work according to Zanu PF instructions and the maize was given to youths and war veterans instead of deserving people," said Mupfumba.
"It is a Zanu PF programme, I don't see the reason why they should cry. Are those councillors willing to join Zanu PF. What l know is vulnerable groups from those wards benefitted through other structures we used since we identified all of them through the office of Social Welfare," said Chiwa
Source - Masvingo Mirror
