Zanu-PF, MDC-T join hands to develop Binga

via Bulawayo24 NEWS | Zanu-PF, MDC-T join hands to develop Binga 16 February 2015

IN a rare development of political tolerance in the country, MDC-T and Zanu-PF politicians have joined hands in Binga by setting up a committee to spearhead and monitor development in the district.

Zanu-PF is on record refusing to work with the MDC-T accusing the main opposition party of sabotaging developmental projects in the country with the objective of effecting “regime change”.

While addressing villagers at a party to celebrate the appointment of provincial members into the Zanu-PF politburo at Binga centre in December 2014, Transport minister and Zanu-PF politburo member Obert Mpofu said underdevelopment in Binga was because the district had voted for MDC-T in every election since 2000.

He said voting for MDC-T was tantamount to voting for underdevelopment.

However, driven by a common goal to develop their area, Zanu-PF and MDC-T politicians set up an 11-member committee to spearhead development in Binga district last Friday.

MDC-T MP for Binga North, Prince Dubeko Sibanda, yesterday confirmed the development.

“Actually, what happened on Friday was that Zanu-PF had invited chiefs, heads of government departments, the district administrator  and council officials as stakeholders to discuss developmental issues at the council offices,” said Sibanda.

“Honourable Joel Gabuza (Binga South MP) and I decided to attend the meeting. It was soon discovered that the DA and other government heads of department were absent. We then agreed to set up a development committee comprising both parties and other stakeholders to spearhead and monitor development in the district.”

He said the politicians realised that it was retrogressive to fight along party affiliations instead of working together for development.

Sibanda said the committee comprised three chiefs, two MPs from MDC-T (Sibanda and Gabuza), three councillors and three Zanu-PF officials.

“It’s a very excellent development which the Binga people have come up with,” he said.

“It’s through the realisation that we are one people and we should work for the development of our area.”

Binga is one of the most drought-prone and underdeveloped districts in the country and has faced perennial starvation without any government aid, forcing villagers to survive on wild fruit.

Villagers are forced to sell their livestock for a song to buy food.