The inputs are meant to enable the residents to participate in urban farming. Hopley, situated about 10km southwest of Harare and one of the informal settlements that sprouted after Operation Murambatsvina in 2005, accommodates residents who have been manipulated to vote Zanu (PF) because of their poverty.
It is located in Harare South constituency, the only one controlled by Zanu (PF) in the capital. The Zimbabwean interviewed some residents who witnessed the boycott.
“We were told that every household should get 2kg of maize seed and 5kg of fertilizer but when a truck came with seeds, those distributing the inputs said there was not enough, hence we had to receive 1kg of each,” said a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The resident said that some Zanu (PF) leaders in Hopley unanimously agreed not to accept the seeds until leadership addressed them.
“Our leadership agreed not to accept the seed and fertiliser, saying they were suspecting that some selfish individuals might have diverted the inputs for their own use,” said the resident.
Another resident only identified as Johannes said: “People unanimously refused to take seeds and the fertilizer as doing so would be endorsing corruption.”
Meanwhile, in Sunningdale distribution of inputs has been marred by controversy as disbanded District Coordinating Committee factions fight for control. Zanu (PF) earlier this year dissolved the DCCs, accusing them of dividing and weakening the party.
In Harare, there are two factions reportedly led by Hubert Nyanhongo and Amos Midzi.
“There are some who say they belong to the Nyahongo camp and others who claim to be on Midzi’s side and there has been a tug of war over control of the distribution exercise,” said a source who witnessed the distribution last week.
In Mbare, only those who attend the party’s meetings and card carrying members were given 2kg of seed and 5kg of fertilizer. When contacted for comment, Zanu (PF) Harare Province Chairman, Amos Midzi, refused to comment.
Post published in: News