Zanu-PF official in soup over aid

FOUR Mhondoro MDC-T party supporters, who were barred from participating in the government's "food for work" programme after holding a private party meeting at one of the member's homestead, are now fighting back using the law.

Zanu-PF councillor for the area, Idah Mhiriza, allegedly deregistered them from the exercise for supporting the opposition party.

The victims, Godfrey Zunza, Tsitsi Runyowa, Norman Chinamhora and Simon Matenga, have since engaged the services of their lawyers, Kadzere Hungwe and Mandevere Legal Practitioners, who have written to Mhiriza threatening legal action if she does not reverse the decision.

In a letter dated March 17, 2017 addressed to Mhiriza, the lawyers warned the Neuso Business Centre councillor, against practising the partisan distribution of food aid.

"We must point out to you that this amounts to unlawful discrimination and thus a violation of our client's constitutional rights," the lawyers said.

"We do not believe that those to whom you have delegated the responsibility to distribute food aid have any lawful right to discriminate against our clients on political grounds."

They added: "We take the view that the food aid must be distributed to all in need regardless of political affiliation. Our client has now instructed us to demand that you immediately allow them to resume participation in the food aid programme."

According to the lawyers, the information pertaining to the barring of the quartet from accessing the food aid was communicated to them by Thomas Chanakira, Hamilton Mutamba and Madhora Shanya, who made it clear that the four had been removed from the programme on account of their affiliation to MDC-T political party.

The Zanu-PF councillor could not be reached for comment yesterday, but her letter was copied to the Attorney General (AG), Prince Machaya, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Priscah Mupfumira and the Commissioner-General of Police, Augustine Chihuri.