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SPEAKER of the National Assembly Cde Jacob Mudenda has called for transparency in handling donations meant for the 21st February Movement celebrations saying there were some people who are bent on stealing food and donations at national events.Cde Mudenda, who is also a Politburo member, said this while addressing hundreds of Zanu-PF party supporters, business executives and Politburo members from Matabeleland North Province at a special preparatory meeting at Elephant Hills Resort last Friday.
He implored security forces to be vigilant and guard against theft of donations in the run up to and during the 21st February Movement celebrations set for Saturday.
He said in 2002 a group of people was intercepted and arrested at Victoria Falls International Airport after stealing meat meant for people attending that year’s 21st February Movement celebrations held in the resort town.
“My concern is on the security department. This is the second time we are having these celebrations here in Victoria Falls after the first celebrations in 2002. Some people were arrested after stealing meat meant for the celebrations.
“If security is weak these donations will be stolen,” said Cde Mudenda.
He said in the same year, the province donated 13 beasts to the Zanu-PF event in Masvingo but only five were delivered and the rest could not be accounted for.
The Speaker appealed for discipline among people while also urging the police, army, prisons and youths to guard against abuse of resources and violence.
“The security knows how they operate and we want the youths to be involved as well so that nothing gets stolen. There must be strict security at the catering department since we will be dealing with thousands of people.
“We don’t want a disaster where we will wake up and hear that 5,000 people are unwell after the function. It happened in Mozambique where people were affected at a funeral.
So let’s be careful in terms of our cooking and preservation and please do not use soda when cooking,” said Cde Mudenda adding that security details should closely monitor all catering services at the event.
He said security details should be deployed to monitor vehicles that will carry people to and from the celebrations in Victoria Falls to maintain peace as some people sometimes get drunk and cause violence.
“Even in buses there should be police to maintain order and also ensure that drivers don’t speed,’ he said.
Ambassador Cain Mathema, who chairs the provincial Joint Operations Committee, echoed the same sentiments urging the police to be involved in every activity.
The officer commanding police in Victoria Falls Chief Superintendent Jairos Chiona acknowledged the concerns and assured there will be peace and order.
“On behalf of the Propol (officer commanding province), I want to acknowledge that these are some of the issues we have been working on. We would want to assure you that everything will be well,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter