adminZvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
SENATORS yesterday demanded transparency in the distribution of food and ancillary services to families being relocated from Tokwe-Mukosi Dam basin after heavy rains led to flooding. Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo made a ministerial statement in the Upper House in which he gave an update on relief efforts.
President Mugabe has declared the situation a state of disaster.
Dr Chombo outlined donations in cash and kind by several institutions and individuals towards mitigating the plight of affected families.
Masvingo Senator Shuvai Mahofa (Zanu-PF) said there was need to ensure that all aid reached the intended beneficiaries. “We need accountability and transparency to the process of distributing these goods,” said Sen Mahofa.
Midlands Senator Morgan Komichi (MDC-T) added: “There is endemic corruption among our people, so much that anyone who does not have the stigma of corruption would be labelled a fool. There should be nothing that should be hidden in hills or mountains during the distribution network. You need to be tight.”
Chiefs Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira said there was need to swiftly identify a permanent home for affected people so that they leave the holding centres they are currently being relocated to.
Chief Charumbira said the pace of relocations was so slow that some families had been living in the open for more than a week.
Dr Chombo assured legislators that there would be transparency.
“Yes, some of the items can be stolen but we have invited soldiers to protect them and the Civil Protection Unit to keep records. We had been advised by Cde (Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter) Mzembi and other people that some goods can disappear,” he said.
He said relocations were being hampered by logistical challenges and cases of families trying to move with all their assets, including cattle. Dr Chombo said Government’s plan had been to relocate people in three phases.
“The incessant rains which have fallen countrywide have the effect of distorting the whole planning and staggered process into one major evacuation process instead of the projected four years. Equally, the project budget subvention for the process was time-framed for the four year life of the project,” he said.
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