PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has donated four metric tonnes of rice to be allocated among 360 Members of the National Assembly and Senate for onward distribution to hungry citizens.
This was revealed in a letter written by Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare secretary Simon Masanga addressed to Grain Marketing Board chief executive Edson Badarai.
"Please be advised that His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa has allocated 4mt to 360 Members of the National Assembly and Senate, for distribution to the indigent members within their respective constituencies in both urban and rural areas,” Masanga’s letter dated December 19 read in part.
Zimbabwe is in the midst of its worst drought in years that has left over half of the population in urgent need of food aid.
Mnangagwa declared the El Nino-induced drought a State of national disaster and appealed for US$3 billion from well-wishers in a bid to marshal resources and avert possible starvation.
In September, the World Food Programme revealed that it successfully assisted 269 514 people out of a total of 272 787 in Buhera, Mwenezi and Mangwe districts with funding received from WFP’s Africa Risk Capacity replica policy payout.
Government has also rolled out a food distribution exercise.
However, reports of food politicisation have resurfaced, with Zanu PF activists cited as the chief culprits.
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This is revealed in a Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) November report which highlighted that Zanu PF officials are politicising the food aid that government and various partners sponsor.
“The distribution of aid in Zimbabwe has been marred by rampant discrimination, with the majority of cases being politically motivated,” the report said.
“The ruling Zanu PF party's overbearing influence in districts and wards has largely resulted in the unfair allocation of aid, with those perceived to be opposition supporters being denied assistance.”
ZPP said Zanu PF officials were frogmarching community members to attend its party activities or risk being denied food assistance.
Zanu PF has denied charges of food politicisation.
Recently, Zanu PF lawmaker Wiriranai Muchemwa and councillor Knowledge Chipindu were arrested for allegedly stealing 40 tonnes of food aid worth US$12 000.
Zimbabwe has failed to feed itself since 2000, when the late former President Robert Mugabe-led land reform programme disrupted production, while climate change has worsened the country's inability to grow enough food.
