MUTARE - Zanu (PF) officials and chiefs in Manicaland province have hijacked the governments farming inputs scheme, which is aimed at reducing poverty and empowering disadvantaged members of the society.
Peasant farmers in the province are being encouraged to join Zanu (PF) and pay for their party cards before being considered for the scheme, implemented by the Department of Social Welfare in conjunction with the Agricultural Extension Services (AGRITEX).
Villagers complained bitterly that Zanu (PF) councillors, army officers, chiefs, headmen and officials were interfering with the selection process of the beneficiaries.
Army Brigadier, Douglas Nyikayaramba and Zanu (PF) officials are moving around the province instructing kraaheads, Agritex and social welfare officials to give vouchers only to Zanu (PF) card carrying members. They are misleading the people by telling them that the free crop packs are a gift from President Mugabe and his Zanu (PF), said a senior social officer, who refused to be named for fear of victimization.
Under the programme, disadvantaged members of the community receive vouchers worth US$35, which they can redeem at AGRITEX offices to get a 10kg bag of seed maize and two 50kg bags of ammonium nitrate and compound D fertilizer.
An AGRITEX official in Nyanga area confirmed that district party leaders in the area were trying to advance their own interests by imposing politically motivated regulations on the programme.
I received instructions from the local Zanu (PF) branch chairperson that we should not give MDC supporters the vouchers because they are against the land reform programme. I made it clear to him that every bona fide disadvantaged member of the society should benefit from the programme .It should not be used to promote political parties or any other organization because this is against the inclusive governments policy, he said.
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