By Lerato Ndlovu
Cases of Legislators implicated in the politicisation of aid distribution across the country have been stated in the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) report for December 2019.
“The ongoing drought has rendered a number of citizens dependent on aid from both the government and humanitarian Non -Governmental Organisations (NGOs), communities have been receiving food aid and agricultural inputs as the rainy season has started,” it read “Unfortunately, the aid has been manipulated in many cases for political mileage and as a retribution tool.
“In some cases, legislators were implicated in the politicisation of aid as reported on 29 December 2019 were close to 500 villagers from Mudzi North convened at Nyamuyaruka Business Centre to receive drought relief rice from the government.
“The rice was distributed in a partisan manner by a Zanu PF Mudzi North ward chairperson Gilbert Makazhu with the guidance of Mudzi North Legislator, three MDC supporters were denied the rice and the legislator told villagers that MDC supporters would never benefit from government aid and inputs since their legislators do not recognize President Mnangagwa as the constitutionally elected President of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Parliament,” it read.
“In Umzingwane constituency in ward 7 it was reported that Zanu PF shadow councillor Larvet Dube told villagers during a food distribution exercise that MDC members and supporters were not eligible to receive food aid and farming inputs, Dube opined that MDC continue to disregard Zanu PF accusing the party of being illegitimate hence MDC supporters did not deserve to receive food from an illegitimate party only Zanu PF activists were given food while known opposition activists were denied aid.
Members of Parliament are expected to act in a manner that unifies communities as they represent every member of their constituency in Parliament.
Such behaviour by an MP only serves to divide communities along party lines and promote intolerance.
Other cases that were stated in the report looked at issues that involved other political figures in different party structures.
