MUTARE - Manicaland Governor and President Robert Mugabes Some of the NGOs that attended the briefing included Red Cross Society, Rescue International, Plan Zimbabwe. Chiefs in the country are known for supporting President Mugabe and Zanu (PF).
Before meeting with NGOs, Mushohwe secretly met with traditional leaders and rural council chief executive officers at his offices at the government complex where they discussed plans to hijack the operations of NGOs.
During the secret meeting, Mushohwe reportedly blamed NGOs for contributing to Zanu (PF) `s dismal performance during the 2008 harmonised elections.
During the meeting with NGOs, Mushohwe told NGO officials that councillors were politicians who had interest in their respective wards and therefore chiefs were suitable people to work with. He also said chiefs were the custodians of the people and instructed that no programmes be implemented without their blessing.
“We were told to work with partisan chiefs in our programmes. This is interference with our work because we work with elected people who have the mandate of the people to spearhead developmental and humanitarian projects. Most of the traditional leaders in the country are partisan because they force villagers to attend Zanu (PF) political meetings. We are there to serve people regardless of their political affiliation,” said an official from a local NGO who declined to be named.
NGOs vowed not to heed to Mushohwes call, saying they will continue to operate within the confines of the laws of Zimbabwe. Staff reporter
Post published in: News