adminNqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE Department of Social Welfare has resumed distributing relief grain in Bulawayo after it was temporarily suspended last month.
The temporary measure was taken after a soldier assigned to transport rice meant for vulnerable people was arrested with five tonnes of the stolen commodity.
Bulawayo Provincial Social Welfare officer Mr Taurai Mpofu said maize distribution was expected to resume today.
He said fuel problems continue to delay the distribution process.
“The army has started moving grain. We were supposed to start the food distribution today (yesterday) but if they manage to transport enough grain to
MacDonald and Stanley Square we are going to be distributing tomorrow,” he said.
Mr Mpofu said to avoid chaos, they would only distribute the grain when all the required quantities have been assembled at the two distribution centres.
He said to curb theft cases, the Social Welfare Department in Bulawayo has resolved to escort army officers tasked with transporting grain.
“The army officers didn’t have any officials escorting them while transporting grain. Now it has been resolved that they will be transporting the grain with police escort,” Mr Mpofu said.
— @nqotshili
Online Reporter