MDC members denied government inputs by soldiers and chiefs

Seeds and fertilizer being distributed to local villagers in Zimbabwe

By Tererai Karimakwenda
08 December, 2011

Seeds and fertilizer that are meant for all Zimbabweans under a presidential scheme are being distributed to ZANU PF members only, by soldiers and traditional chiefs campaigning for Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF in parts of Manicaland.

Reporting from Chimanimani, SW Radio Africa’s contact Peter explained that ZANU PF may feel they are fooling some villagers, but they are not, because the villagers are well informed. They know the inputs are supposed to be distributed to everyone, regardless of what party they support.

Peter said some people do join ZANU PF to benefit from these small perks, but others don’t bother because they feel a 5kg bag of seeds or fertilizer is too small and not worth compromising their beliefs.

According to our contact, bags of maize seed arrived in Chimanimani last month that have a picture of Robert Mugabe on the front and the words “Rimayi ne simba tigute”, meaning “plough with strength so we can eat”.

Peter’s report confirms information provided to SW Radio Africa in a report last month by MP Felix Mafa, who described bags with Mugabe’s picture being distributed to ZANU PF members only in three other provinces. Mafa said he would soon approach parliament to ask why government inputs were being distributed to only one political party.

A report in the Zimbabwean newspaper this week said soldiers from Three Brigade in Mutare and some chiefs in the province are campaigning for Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF, using inputs funded by taxpayers.

The paper said the operation is code-named “Operation Zunde Ramambo” and it has seen the Three Brigade soldiers “deployed to various parts of the province to spearhead the ZANU PF election campaign strategy, under the guise of an exercise to improve food security.

The use of food as a political weapon by ZANU PF is nothing new and our contact said villagers are not fooled by this and the party has lost many parliamentary seats to the MDC since the elections in 2002.