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Cde Mahofa

George Maponga in Masvingo
Newly-appointed Minister of State for Masvingo provincial Affairs Senator Shuvai Mahofa has said she will be equal to the task and thanked President Mugabe for showing confidence in her.

Speaking for the first time since her appointment on Monday, Sen Mahofa said she will pursue empowerment programmes in the province.

“I never expected it (the appointment). I can only thank God, President Mugabe and Dr Amai Mugabe for showing confidence in me,” she said.

“I will be equal to the task.”

Sen Mahofa warned companies that have not yet fulfilled their pledges under the Community Share Ownership Scheme to pay up their dues of nearly $1 million and contribute towards socio-economic development.

She replaced axed Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti.

Sen Mahofa said firms that made pledges under the Community Share Schemes should stop taking the people of Masvingo for a ride by failing to release funds they promised when President Mugabe officially launched the scheme in the province three years ago.

The companies namely —Tongaat Hulett, Save Valley Conservancy, Bikita Minerals, Lennox Mine, Renco Mine and Murowa Diamond Mine — made pledges totalling $1,5 million at the launch of the scheme. But only Murowa fulfilled its pledge by pouring $500 000 into the Chivi Community Share Ownership Trust.

“My number one priority is to see to it that these companies (under the Community Share Scheme) pay up their dues because they made an undertaking before President Mugabe that they were going to release the money,” said Sen Mahofa.

“So, we now want that money, they cannot take people for a ride.”

Sen Mahofa vowed to tackle the rampant land hunger in Masvingo, saying the scarce resource was supposed to be distributed without favour.

She challenged those who were allocated land to optimally use it.

zanu-pf Politburo member Cde Josaya Hungwe described Minister Mahofa’s appointment as the opening of a new chapter in the history of Masvingo.

“We are very happy with what President Mugabe has done by appointing Cde Mahofa to be Minister of State for Masvingo and we are quite optimistic that she will be able to deliver considering her close connection with the people on the ground,” he said.

“Minister Mahofa is a pragmatic leader and a very free person who listens to the people.”

Masvingo Central Member of Parliament and zanu-pf Central Committee member Cde Edmund Mhere said Sen Mahofa would unite the province and eliminate factionalism in the ruling party.

Masvingo war veterans provincial chairman Cde Charles Muchena welcomed Sen Mahofa’s appointment, saying war veterans were happy that a person who had their interests at heart was appointed to lead the province.

Masvingo Housing Consortium chairman Cde Wellington Mahwende said Minister Mahofa’s appointment marked the beginning of a new era as she was a forthright leader who always stood ready to attend to people’s problems.

President Mugabe sacked Cde Bhasikiti last week for behaviour not consistent with his line of duty.

Cde Bhasikiti became the 17th minister, including former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru, to be fired for spending more time on issues not beneficial to Government and plotting to unconstitutionally depose, and even assassinate President Mugabe.