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The President said Minister Biti sought to sidestep conditions set out by Zambia that the maize would only be sold to Government, not private companies.
“Kuti chibage chiuye VaPresident Sata (Zambian President Michael Sata) vakati havadi kutengesera vanhuwo, kana macompany zvawo ekuZimbabwe. Vanoda hurumende chete. Saka takataura navo vakati vane 150 000 tonnes dzavanokwanisa kutengesa through the Government, not private parties.
“Chibage chinorimwa nemafarmers vanoda kubhadharwa saka isu tinenge tichida kubhadhara zvino kuhurumende takakurukura nezvazvo. VaMade (Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Mechanisation Development) vakati vaBiti varikuti imwe inofanira kubhadharwa nemacompanies, imwe nehurumende. Asi VaSata vanoti vanoda kudealer nehurumende chete,” he said.
The President, who was addressing traditional leaders and members of the Gushungo clan at Banket Country Club in Zvimba, said other members of the inclusive Government did not understand that the Government is there to provide for the people, but instead take issues of national interest and the well-being of the people as matters of political contestation.
“Zvino ndozvinotishupa izvozvo. Vamwe vedu (MDC-T) havanzwisise kuti tiripo sehurumende pamusana pei. Kwavari inenge club zvakangoita seDynamos neHighlanders. Zvino isu vamweka dambudziko revanhu ndiro rakatiendesa kuhondo, kuti nyika yedu iuye, zvido zvevanhu zvizadzikiswe, vanhu vagare zvakanaka, vawane minda yavo vachitungamirirwa nehurumende. Vamwe vedu havanzwisise izvozvo nekuti havana politics idzodzo,” he said.
Crops in most parts of the country, especially Masvingo and other districts in the south did not do well owing to uneven rainfall distribution.
Mashonaland provinces are expected to contribute significantly, but still fall short of meeting demand for food.
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The President said as Zimbabwe was bracing for elections which should be held in a peaceful atmosphere, people should be careful of parties that condemn them to poverty.
“Handiti iye zvino tirikuenda kumaelections? Kana vaye vanoti ahh tinoda chinja . . . well munochinja muchienda muchiwira munhamo.
“Ko hapana anorambidzwa kuchinja achienda munhamo, chido chako ichocho. Asi tinoda kusimbaradza maoko enyu. Kuti simba rirambe ririmumaoko enyu,” he said to bursts of laughter.
He said people should safeguard the land and took a swipe at people that were leasing out farms to white former commercial farmers saying he has tenaciously defended the right of people to own their land at home and abroad which should be reciprocated by productively using the land.
Turning to the Gushungo clan where Johannes Kangamiti Jenami was presented as the first chief Chidziva, President Mugabe called for unity among the people of Zvimba which would in turn extend to the whole country.
Chief Chidziva becomes the second chief in a tripartite Zvimba chieftaincy following the alteration of boundaries in the aftermath of land reform which re-establishes pre-colonial jurisdictions.
The Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development is now seized with the task of facilitating the installation of Chief Beperere.
Chief Zvimba was confined to about 16 percent of the Zvimba area with the remaining 84 being farms that were held by white commercial farmers after colonisation.
President Mugabe said the delicate issue of choosing traditional leaders should be done in the manners and customs laid out in each area across the country.
He said colonialism had altered boundaries which often triggered conflicts as sidelined chiefs sought to re-establish their chieftaincy saying it was a trait in all areas colonised by Britain citing India and Pakistan where conflicts are still raging.
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Dr Chombo said his ministry had done a thorough job in line with provisions of the law to facilitate the selection of Chief Chidziva.
Chief Zvimba said there was a need for wider consultation before a chief was installed.
The drew headman and kraal heads from Zvimba and members of the Gushungo clan.
Online Reporter