Gwanda Villagers defy MP for Councillor

Villagers in Ward 6 of Gwanda North yesterday defied their MP and pressure from ZANU PF supporters and backed their MDC (Ncube) Councillor Kellon Skula Ndlovu in a dispute on the distribution of maize seed.

Drama started two days ago when a truck loaded with maize seed for distribution to the villagers arrived and as usual and per norm headed to the local councillor's place. The routine is that the councillor comes with the truck for subsequent distribution at the ward centre under his guidance. It is reported that when the truck arrived some ZANU PF supporters tried to "hijack" the truck and hand it over to their own committee they have set up to take over the seed and grain distribution. The seed and grain is provided by government which ZANU PF claim is their government and so an opposition councillor cannot have a hand in its distribution.

Reports are that the councillor refused to hand over the truck until the people demanded that the issue be solved by the MP of the area Cde Madodana Sibanda. Sibanda was then contacted upon which he asked that the distribution be delayed to yesterday when he would be available to oversee the distribution and bring order.

Eye witnesses claim that when the MP arrived he aligned himself first with the ZANU PF supporters against the councillor and demanded that the truck be off loaded at a point where ZANU PF normally holds its meetings as opposed to the usual ward centre point. The villagers resisted the move and stood behind the councillor demanding that the councillor be left to do his duty and distribute the seeds. A scuffle is reported to have ensued with women sleeping in front of the truck demanding that if it wants to move it must stamp on them first. Some ZANU PF supporters are reported to have demanded the driver to drive the truck with the women lying in front of the truck, which he refused to do.

Sanity finally prevailed when the MP so it fit to call it quit and agreed with the villagers to let the councillor distribute the maize seed followed by a huge roar from the villagers. Over the years opposition supporters have always claimed that food and seed have always been distributed on party lines with only those in possession of ZANU PF cards getting the government hand outs.