News / National
FAZ hijacks Pfumvudza inputs programme
13 Nov 2023 at 23:49hrs | Views
Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ), an alleged shadowy affiliate of Zanu-PF, is reportedly withholding Pfumvudza agricultural inputs from suspected Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters. A confrontation arose when Enika Gomo, a suspected FAZ member, reportedly removed the names of opposition sympathizers from the beneficiaries' list in ward 25 of Hurungwe West constituency on Saturday, at Zvipani shopping center.
One victim, Morris Mubaiwa, claimed that he was denied agricultural inputs due to his opposition affiliations. He alleged that Mai Gomo, a known FAZ operative, manipulated the database, stating that those not attending Zanu-PF meetings were ineligible for the inputs. Mubaiwa confronted Gomo, leading to her mobilizing Zanu-PF youths to intimidate him.
Zanu-PF ward 25 councillor Edmore Nyamukumba confirmed the incident, acknowledging Mai Gomo's FAZ membership. Nyamukumba asserted that the beneficiaries in their database had complied with Pfumvudza's prerequisites, and those denied inputs had not qualified.
FAZ President Kudakwashe Musanka stated that his organization monitors the distribution of presidential inputs to prevent theft and ensure they reach the intended beneficiaries.
The government claims to have allocated over 360,000 tonnes of agricultural inputs, including seed and fertilizer, to support smallholder farmers under the Climate-Proofed Presidential Input Scheme (Pfumvudza/Intwasa). This initiative is crucial as the country faces potential challenges in the summer cropping season due to the El Niño weather phenomenon, which can result in delayed and below-normal rainfall.
Despite government efforts, the distribution of inputs to the targeted 3.5 million beneficiaries has been marred by accusations of looting and nepotism since it began in April in Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central province.
One victim, Morris Mubaiwa, claimed that he was denied agricultural inputs due to his opposition affiliations. He alleged that Mai Gomo, a known FAZ operative, manipulated the database, stating that those not attending Zanu-PF meetings were ineligible for the inputs. Mubaiwa confronted Gomo, leading to her mobilizing Zanu-PF youths to intimidate him.
Zanu-PF ward 25 councillor Edmore Nyamukumba confirmed the incident, acknowledging Mai Gomo's FAZ membership. Nyamukumba asserted that the beneficiaries in their database had complied with Pfumvudza's prerequisites, and those denied inputs had not qualified.
The government claims to have allocated over 360,000 tonnes of agricultural inputs, including seed and fertilizer, to support smallholder farmers under the Climate-Proofed Presidential Input Scheme (Pfumvudza/Intwasa). This initiative is crucial as the country faces potential challenges in the summer cropping season due to the El Niño weather phenomenon, which can result in delayed and below-normal rainfall.
Despite government efforts, the distribution of inputs to the targeted 3.5 million beneficiaries has been marred by accusations of looting and nepotism since it began in April in Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central province.
Source - newsday
