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CCC MP accuses govt officials of diverting food aid
11 Nov 2024 at 07:09hrs | Views
Fanuel Cumanzala, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator for Binga South, has accused government officials of illegally diverting food aid meant to alleviate the effects of the El Niño-induced drought in the region. Cumanzala claims that over 100 people in Binga have been denied access to food assistance, despite being on the distribution list.
In an interview with Southern Eye, Cumanzala accused senior officials from the Binga Rural District Council (RDC) and the District Development Committee (DDC) of looting food aid, specifically wheat, which was meant for vulnerable communities. He said that these officials were taking the food directly from Grain Marketing Board (GMB) distribution points and reselling it, often outside the country.
"Binga District food relief efforts are being thwarted by greedy senior Binga RDC and Binga DDC officials who are looting food aid directly from GMB and food distribution points in violation of government policy," Cumanzala alleged. "The number of people that have been denied aid are more than 100, even though their names were used to request aid and it came."
He further stated that even the District Administrator (DA) was aware of the issue but had not taken action. "There is overwhelming evidence that the offices of DDC and Binga RDC looted the wheat which was distributed on October 20. Most of the wheat was transported to Zambia for resale at the expense of the starving Donga village," he added.
Cumanzala highlighted the case of a woman named Ernesia, a witness and victim of the alleged diversion of aid, who has been outspoken about the issue. The list of those deprived of aid extends to multiple areas including Rest, Low Density, Secondary, and Govera, where many deserving individuals were reportedly left out.
In response to the allegations, Binga RDC Chief Executive Officer, Joshua Muzamba, distanced himself from the food relief program, stating that such matters were handled by the DA. "Food relief issues are handled by the DA. So please contact him for the answers you are looking for," Muzamba said.
Cele Nyathi, an official from the Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare ministry in Matabeleland North province, expressed ignorance of the situation. "You may send me the questions on my email, then I will find out. Besides the fact, I am currently in Bulawayo and I have no idea of such happenings," Nyathi said.
The allegations of food aid mismanagement come amid growing concerns over the effectiveness of the government's drought relief efforts and the continued suffering of affected communities in Binga and other parts of Zimbabwe.
In an interview with Southern Eye, Cumanzala accused senior officials from the Binga Rural District Council (RDC) and the District Development Committee (DDC) of looting food aid, specifically wheat, which was meant for vulnerable communities. He said that these officials were taking the food directly from Grain Marketing Board (GMB) distribution points and reselling it, often outside the country.
"Binga District food relief efforts are being thwarted by greedy senior Binga RDC and Binga DDC officials who are looting food aid directly from GMB and food distribution points in violation of government policy," Cumanzala alleged. "The number of people that have been denied aid are more than 100, even though their names were used to request aid and it came."
He further stated that even the District Administrator (DA) was aware of the issue but had not taken action. "There is overwhelming evidence that the offices of DDC and Binga RDC looted the wheat which was distributed on October 20. Most of the wheat was transported to Zambia for resale at the expense of the starving Donga village," he added.
In response to the allegations, Binga RDC Chief Executive Officer, Joshua Muzamba, distanced himself from the food relief program, stating that such matters were handled by the DA. "Food relief issues are handled by the DA. So please contact him for the answers you are looking for," Muzamba said.
Cele Nyathi, an official from the Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare ministry in Matabeleland North province, expressed ignorance of the situation. "You may send me the questions on my email, then I will find out. Besides the fact, I am currently in Bulawayo and I have no idea of such happenings," Nyathi said.
The allegations of food aid mismanagement come amid growing concerns over the effectiveness of the government's drought relief efforts and the continued suffering of affected communities in Binga and other parts of Zimbabwe.
Source - southern eye
