via Zanu PF politicises food aid – Southern Eye 19 May 2015 by Nqobani Ndlovu
A SECTION of hungry Tsholotsho North villagers is allegedly being denied food aid by Zanu PF campaign teams as punishment for not voting for Information minister Jonathan Moyo in the 2013 general elections, a human rights watchdog monitoring the campaigns leading to the June 10 by-elections said.
Moyo, who is the ruling party candidate in the upcoming by-elections, lost the seat to the MDC-T then represented by Roselyn Nkomo in the harmonised elections.
The by-elections came about after Nkomo and 20 other former MDC-T MPs were recalled from Parliament for crossing the floor to launch the MDC Renewal Team.
According to the latest Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) weekly report, two villages in Tsholotsho North had been denied food as punishment for not voting for Moyo in 2013.
“In Tsholotsho North, Jonathan Moyo, the candidate for Zanu PF in the by-election, has been moving around in all the 11 wards in holding meetings to garner support ahead of the by-election.
HZT said the Zanu PF teams told Bemba and Dlamini villagers that they would only get food aid after June 10 since they did not vote for Moyo in 2013.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister Cain Mathema recently dismissed the duo as MDC proxies and told Zanu PF supporters during a rally held at Dlamini area that the ruling party would push for Tsholotsho North to have more boreholes, water at
homesteads, electricity and industries.
Moyo, who faces a challenge from two independent candidates Busani Ncube and Getrude Sibanda could not be reached for comment on his mobile phone.
Zanu PF campaign teams are doling out food handouts to the constituency.
COMMENTS
This is not surprising at all as it is ZANU PF’s version and understanding of ‘democracy and power to the people’.
@kalulu – yes, you are correct. Power to certain select people.
More boreholes would not be a major effort by the government, no matter who is in power. Should be undertaken immediately. Government can supply drilling equipment and expertise, well pipe, and pump, with labor coming from grateful local volunteers. Do it now..! This should not be a political issue… it’s a humanitarian issue.
Also, drip-irrigation is a very real technology, and could be employed by small-tract farmers for little expense and no subsequent impact on water table. Involve NGO’s… teach a man to fish… or, in this case, teach a man to overcome the devastation of frequent drought that so often leads to Zim hunger.
THANK GOD I DONT HAVE TO EAT THE DEVILS POISONED FOOD. NEITHER MY MOTHER IN HER LATE 80S!