Zanu (PF) looting natural resources

However the continued bickering surrounding the implementation of this agreement between the two main political parties, MDC and Zanu (PF) has left the former ruling Zanu (PF) party in control of low key but crucial state organs which impact directly on Zimbabweans everyday life.

The endless negotiations between Zanu (PF) and the two MDC formations over outstanding issues has diverted the nations attention to the GPA and power sharing at national level while Zanu (PF) galvanizes its support base in its former strongholds.

Although the country witnessed the swearing in of Morgan Tsvangirai as the Prime Minister and the formation of an inclusive government on February 13, 2008, Zanu (PF) has continued to distribute inputs and grain to its supporters using the drought relief committee. The drought relief committee is a state appointed committee found in all the countrys 59 districts and is chaired by the District Administrator (DA).

Other members of the committee are RDC chairman, RDC chief executive offer, Zanu (PF) DDC chairman, war veterans chairman and representatives of NGOS and other government departments.

By virtue of the nature of its composition, this committee has been dominated by the Zanu (PF) DCC chairman and war veterans voices and in most cases its decisions are in favour of Zanu (PF) supporters. A case in point is the recent distribution of state subsidized agricultural inputs which saw a bag of fertilizer selling at US$7.00 which only benefited Zanu (PF) supporters.

District councils run badly

The same situation prevails in the running of the affairs of both urban and Rural District Councils (RDCS). Facing imminent defeat in the 2008 elections, Zanu (PF) abused its then parliamentary majority by amending both the urban councils act and the Rural District Councils Act to abolish the post of executive mayor in urban councils and introduce appointed councillors in both urban and rural councils. Zanu (PF)s ulterior motive in abolishing the post of executive mayor is clear in that it wanted to reduce the influence of MDC in the day to day running of the city and town councils and the decision to appoint special interest councillors is a ploy to at least keep the dying Zanu (PF) voice alive in all urban or Rural District Councils regardless of whether they control that council.

Reservations have been expressed as to why only Zanu (PF) loyalists have been appointed special councillors in Harare an MDC dominated city council. MDC supporters have also had to contend with discrimination at state occasions such as Independence Day Celebrations and Heroes commemorations, despite the advent of the inclusive government.

On April 18 2008 Independence celebrations held at Sarahuru School in Mwenezi, only Zanu (PF) supporters and officials were invited to attend the occasion. MDC supporters had to contend with their party celebrations 100 meters away at Sarahuru business centre hosted by Charles Muzenda, an MDC-T provincial executive member based in Mwenezi district. This is regardless of the fact that the inclusive government had poured in funds for the occasion through the ministry of local government meant to unite all the three main political parties after a decade of animosity and hostilities.

Partisan land decisions

Mugabes former chief media hangman, Tafataona Mahosos, recent invasion of Welverdien farm is a clear testimony of the partisan decision of Mutare District Land Committee. Although the invasion was illegal and attracted widespread domestic and international condemnation, Zanu (PF) has hidden behind the fact that Mahoso had an offer letter which originated from Mutare district land committee. In fact it is not Mahoso only but a host of other sympathizers of the disintegrating Zanu (PF) party who continue to be rewarded from this patronage based land redistribution system.

The situation has been compounded by the fact that MDC failed to secure the lands ministry at GPA negotiations. Furthermore, Mugabe is refusing to give MDC its fair share of provincial governors, a key office is dismantling the current looting of national resources by the outgoing Zanu (PF) regime. Over and above these two offices, Zimbabweans need not be reminded that all offer letters originate from the district lands committee whose deputy chairperson is the Zanu (PF) DCC chairman. War veterans and chiefs continue to sit in this committee thereby directing that all land allocations be made to known Zanu (PF) supporters.

Fair interviews for nurses

Late last year there was anxiety and consternation at Masvingo General Hospital when Prime Minister Tsvangirai during his visit to the hospital directed that all prospective State Registered Nurse (RGN) trainees for 2010 who had been recruited on the strength of the nation youth service (NYS) certificate be de-registered and fair interviews be conducted.

The premise of his argument was that the previous NYS training was biased and open only to Zanu (PF) supporters hence its continued requirement at national training institutions in the inclusive government was unjustified. Revelations after this incident that the Border Gezi trained militias were reserved a staggering 60 per cent quota at this and other institutions of higher learning are greatly disturbing especially at a time Zimbabwe is nurturing a fragile coalition government and trying to come to terms with a decade old political discrimination and intolerance.

Zimbabweans need not forget that although political power is achieved through control of the national institutions at national level, resources are allocated by these government committees at district level and Zanu (PF) is positively touching the lives of its supporters by pilfering state resources.

Whilst the nation patiently focuses its eyes on the resolution of the 11 outstanding GPA issues, Zanu (PF) is busy manipulating state organs and institutions to plunder national resources.

Morgen Kulare is the National Research and Advocacy Officer for Youth of Zimbabwe for Transparency and Progress (YZTP). He can be contacted by email: kularemg@gmail.com