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Minister Mupfumira

Abigail Mawonde and Melody Mashaire
GOVERNMENT has dismissed as absolute nonsense claims by the opposition that food aid is being distributed on a partisan basis.

Addressing the media recently, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira said it was Government policy to give food to everyone in need.

“That is absolute nonsense. It is not true.

“We have said drought or hunger does not differentiate between this or that other political party.

“As Government we are supposed to give food to all the people who need food and our own ministry is involved at the actual distribution,” she said.

“We have village level, ward level, district level and provincial level with so many people involved and there is no way people have been required to produce their political party cards in order to get food.

“No, there is nothing like that.”

Minister Mupfumira urged people to report instances where such incidences may have happened so that offenders are punished.

“If somebody tries to do that, we have said we will deal with them accordingly.

“His Excellency, President Mugabe has even given that reassurance and directing that we do not discriminate.

“Obviously because we are very democratic, people can write what they want and say what they want even if it is not correct but all I can assure you is that as Government, there is no such policy of discrimination,” she said.

Minister Mupfumira said the country had enough stocks for the next two months and importation of more maize had begun.

“We have our own grain which will take us to the end of May to June. But all I know is that maize has started trickling in and we have an importation programme to ensure that we get all the grain we require until next year.

“As you are aware, last season harvest was very poor and GMB had 70 000 tonnes compared to the previous year where we had over 250 000 metric tonnes which means our harvest was poor,” she said.

Minister Mupfumira said the country needed about 700 000 tonnes of grain in order to meet the country’s requirements.

She said at least 94 000 tonnes had been imported so far.