Foodstuffs, hampers and agricultural inputs donated to villagers in Masvingo by First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa recently were allegedly looted by Zanu PF big wigs and top Government employees.
The First Lady was in the ancient city last Wednesday where she graced a wellness campaign at Masvingo Showgrounds.
The campaign was attended by thousands who were bused from across the province for free disease screening. School pupils also attended the campaign, per The Mirror.
Reports say attendees were divided into groups of 10 and made to share a 50kg bag of rice whilst top Government and Zanu PF officials received 10kg of mealie meal each.
Ironically, Zanu PF vice chairperson Trust Mugabe, who was overseeing the distribution of the inputs, insisted that the donations were equitably distributed.
According to Mugabe, top party and Government officials received mealie meal ‘because they are leaders’.
The Mirror reports that some of the individuals who received the maize meal include three senior Masvingo City managers, two senior President’s Office (CIO) members, provincial heads of Government ministries and Zanu PF provincial coordinating committee (PCC) members.
A driver in the Office of the President and Cabinet, identified as Revesai Chikanda, is accused of having looted six tick grease bottles and walked out of the stadium despite Mugabe ordering him to return the tick grease through a public address (PA) system.
It is alleged that Chikwanda then told Mugabe that he was sent by Masvingo Minister of State Ezra Chadzamira to collect the tick grease.
When contacted for a comment, Chikwanda dismissed the allegations as false.
On the other hand, Mugabe said Chikwanda returned the tick grease after he cautioned him.
“He took the tick grease without permission and I ordered him to return it. He complied with the instruction,” Mugabe is quoted as saying by one regional publication.
Chadzamira could not pick up his phone for a comment on the matter.
Contacted by the Mirror, Masvingo Permanent Secretary Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa said he oversaw the distribution process and it was done fairly.
He however, said he didn’t keep stock of who got what.
“The process was transparent when the First Lady was distributing the donations. Chaos began after she left and Mugabe and several youth took over. What they did is wrong. They are tarnishing the First Lady’s name because of their looting. I’m sure they will be handing out the donations to their lieutenants,” a concerned villager said.
