Zanu PF Okays environmental degradation at Kafusi Dam in Gwanda South

ZAPU is dismayed with the abuse of both people and environment in Chief Mathe's Kafusi area of Gwanda South. There is serious environmental degradation in the area thanks to ZANU PF's shenanigans of patronage in the system.

One villager in ward 16, Nunu Ngulube is alleged to be leading a group of ZANU PF supporters who are farming right inside silted Kafusi Dam. It is alleged that Ward 16 Councillor Mahopolo and the village headman Mogorosi are using ZANU PF to protect these people.

Kafusi Dam is the only water body in the area and source of water for people, livestock and farming purposes. It has fallen victim to heavy siltation over the years and as a result cannot hold any water on and off season. ZANU PF councilor, headman and supporters have now taken advantage and started farming inside the dam.

Asked by villagers, Ngulube is alleged to have told them that he shares the produce from the dam with both the councilor and headman hence the protection from the regime while they degrade the environment around the dam area.

According to ZAPU supporters in the area, this came about as coercion since the residents had declared their membership to ZAPU. The councilor is reported to have resorted to a carrot and stick tactic denying the non ZANU PF villagers access to agricultural activities and in the same process allowing the in-dam farming.

ZAPU calls councilor Mahopolo, headman Mogorosi, Nunu Ngulube and all villagers farming in the dam to order as well as on EMA to take action against this heinous crime on our environment. The Dam must provide livelihoods to the whole community and the councilor must see to it that it is de-silted rather than farming in and around it. EMA should investigate and bring to book all who are found on the wrong side of the environmental law in this case.

Water is a universal right of every citizen and not only is it treacherous to politicize its access, but it is barbaric and smacks lack of peoples interests by those perpetrating such. Like ZAPU has always observed, ZANU PF has no interests of the people at heart, all they want is the vote that gives them opportunity to feed on the gravy train. Once elected, they go back to their anti-people agenda as witnessed in Kafusi.

As if that is not enough, the same area has fallen victim to partisan food aid distribution with only wards 16 and 19 benefiting. Those who are benefiting are only ZANU PF youths, while the vulnerable elderly and child headed families are left to starve for supporting ZAPU. It is a travesty of justice as well as betrayal of humanity values by ZANU PF to the people of Gwanda SOUTH especially after winning the last poll. Punishing the community for their democratic right and choice defeats the whole essence and purpose of embarking on the liberation struggle, where ZAPU and ZANU fought for equality in rights and dignity and freedom to chose and associate with a political party of ones choice among other things.

ZAPU therefore condemns this total disregard of both the constitution and human rights by the regime in Kafusi and demands a stop to the above abuses. It must be remembered, both by ZANU PF and the communities that food aid is a government initiative which must benefit everyone who needs such assistance regardless of ones political inclination.

ZAPU informs the public that food aid is not from ZANU PF and must never be distributed on partisan lines. We urge all who need food assistance to access it and never listen to those that demand ZANU PF cards as a requirement.