In some instances, Agritex officers are implicated in depriving citizens of food and other aid. On 7 November 2019
in ward 11, Rushinga district at Chongoma Primary School about 9 Zanu PF activists deprived 35 villagers of fertilizer
and maize seed from the Presidential Input Scheme. The activists; VaDombo VaKatumbu who are Agritex Officers,
Samuel Madzinga Nhema, Chihwato (village heads), Petronella Matsa, Shingirai Gogoda, Siza Mudziwedombo
(Youth Chairperson), Mai Marufu and Maxwell Phiri withheld inputs from beneficiaries and shared among
themselves. Some of the culprits traded the inputs for goats while others were seen transporting the inputs at night
around 8pm. VaDombo reportedly traded the inputs with Mr Chihwato in exchange for three goats.
The continued discrimination in distributing aid is a cause for conflict. In Gokwe Gumunyu, Tchoda Business Centre
ward 15, Councilor Mutanzi pointed out that youth officers and Zanu PF members who were polling agents during
the 2018 elections were supposed to get their allocations before any villager could get their share. This angered
some youths present who stated that Zanu PF had for long looted inputs under their watch and would not allow it
to continue. They then took 15, 10kgs bags of maize seed and left telling the councillor to report anywhere as nothing
would happen to them.
It takes just one individual to make a conscious decision to break the cycle of corruption and discrimination as
recorded in Mberengwa East. On 1 November at Mataruse ward B2, village head Menias Zhou a Zanu PF supporter
refused a widowed MDC supporter her share of the Presidential Farming Inputs. The village head’s excuse was that
the beneficiary had not paid the village tax. Councilor Dinga Hove was then consulted and cautioned Zhou stating
that the inputs program was not selective and that depriving someone their aid is illegal, leading to the widow later
receiving her allocation.
The shrinking democratic space in the second republic is evidenced by the increasingly intolerant environment that
is prevailing in the country. Contradictions are notable as the state presents a façade of upholding the rule of law at
the same time making concerted efforts to block people’s democratic rights. On 6 November 2019 police halted an
Apex Council demonstration, even though civil servants had sought and obtained police permission to demonstrate.
As petitioners marched towards the Public Service Commission offices, they were blocked by anti-riot police officers,
who barricaded roads and harassed protesters. Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ)
President, Obert Masaraure, Secretary General Robson Chere and Tryvine Musokeri were manhandled and dragged
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