#PFUMVUDZA
NOT GREEN AGAIN!
For the second November in a row, there has been
brazen politicization of government agricultural
inputs under the Pfunvudza scheme
It is that month again when
government distributes inputs
across the country and this time
under the Pfumvudza scheme, ZPP
recorded cases of politicization of
this aid.
Citizens claim there is a deliberate
and systematic process of
sidelining perceived or real
supporters of opposition political
parties from benefitting from a
government scheme that is
supposed to benefit everyone
regardless of their political
affiliation.
In some cases, the distribution of
the maize and fertilizer was done
nicodemously. For example, in
Chandavengerwa Village, only 18
families benefitted out of a
potential over 70 households and
there was no proper process to
determine how the 18 got the
inputs.
In direct contravention of the
Constitution, Zanu PF and
government officials and local
leaders charged with the
distribution of inputs conducted
themselves in an openly partisan
manner.
According to the Constitution,
“Zimbabwe is founded on respect
for the following values
and principles… recognition of the
equality of all human beings.”
Unfortunately, this has not been
the case as those responsible for
the Pfumvudza input
Scheme, have shown little regard
for the respect of this fundamental
value especially
considering that government is
charged with the responsibility to
ensure that everyone
enjoys their right to equal
treatment.
The conflation of the ruling party
and the State compounded by
impunity has continued and ruling
party officials and activists have
continued to hijack government
programmes without facing any
consequence.
Any citizens who attempt to call
out these partisan acts face the
brutality of the Zanu PF activists.
In one case in Mudzi West at
Masarakufa turn-off Ward 8, Zanu
PF Ward Chairperson Jesinau Liver
said, in reference to MDC-Alliance
supporters who had been denied
Pfumvudza inputs, “Hatingape
vapanduki kuti vagute
vagotipandukira (We cannot give
inputs to traitors in order for them
to be well-fed enough to turn on
us).
In another case in Hurungwe,
violence broke out when an MDCAlliance Councillor Nyamafukudze
confronted a Zanu PF Councillor
Chimtokoma over the politicised
allocation of inputs.
Chimtokoma allegedly assaulted
Nyamapfukidze, claiming that
government inputs are Zanu PF
inputs and only ruling party
supporters are entitled to benefit
from the Pfumvudza Project.
These examples show the
barefaced level of politicization of
government aid and if not arrested,
it can contribute to heightened
levels of food insecurity.
OUR KEY ASKS
The Constitution of Zimbabwe
guarantees civil and political
liberties to all, and as such, anyone
is free to affiliate themselves to
any political party. Government, on
the other hand, is charged with the
responsibility to provide for all,
regardless of which political party
or religious group they belong to.
We therefore urge government to
address the discrimination
happening during the distribution
of Pfumvudza inputs immediately
as it has a bearing on food
security.
In the interests of transparency
and accountability, we also urge
government to publish statistics of
beneficiaries and resources
allocated to each ward for public
audit purposes.