3.1.3 Masvingo
Zanu PF structures, which include Ward Chairpersons, once again continued their unholy
collusion with traditional leaders in denying food aid to opposition political party
supporters in Masvingo West, King Mine, Mashava area.
In one of the cases, some Zanu PF women leaders and a staffer at the Ministry of Ministry of
Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development were part of those who led the
politicisation of aid from government.
Meanwhile, tension continued to mount in Masvingo urban following the clash between the
area’s Member of Parliament Jacob Nyokanhete of the opposition MDC Alliance and a Zanu
PF councillor.
The two clashed over the use of part of the $2 million Community Development Fund (CDF),
which the legislator channelled towards construction of a high school in the City.
Zanu PF councillor for Masvingo City’s Ward 10, Sengerai Manyanga accused Nyokanhete
of hijacking the project, which he said was already in motion.
Manyanga was quoted in a local paper, newzimbabwe.com, saying that “I have noted with
disdain the brazen attempt by MDC Alliance Masvingo Urban Member of Parliament, Jacob
Nyokanhete and some members of his political outfit to ascribe to him the Rujeko
Secondary School project currently being carried out by the Masvingo City Council using
public funds”
These clashes point to the deep seated polarisation and the conflation of state and political
parties, where elected individuals still continue to serve the interests of the party, not of the
people they are supposed to represent.
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