Ministers loot farming inputs: VP Mujuru

VP Mujuru said President Mugabe was doing all he can to uplift the lives of Zimbabweans.
She said the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces has worked hard to establish the input support scheme but his efforts were being derailed by greedy officials.
VP Mujuru made the remarks during an inter-district meeting at Pfura Rural District Council in Dotito, Mt Darwin West.
She said this was an embarrassment.
She was on a tour of her constituency, Mt Darwin West.
This followed complaints from people in the constituency that rampant corruption at GMB resulted in people failing to access inputs.
Allegations are that party officials working in conjunction with GMB employees grabbed inputs and sold them to people in the province.
This comes amid revelations that fertiliser for distribution in Mashonaland Central was intercepted in Mazowe.
The inputs were going to Mashonaland East.
Police have since launched investigations into the case.
Responding to the allegations, VP Mujuru said an increase in cases of  corruption  was a cause for concern.
She said some Cabinet ministers engaged in similar acts.
“In Cabinet, we understand there are some big names who have looted tonnes (of farming inputs) and taken them to their homes. Zvinonyadzisa President,” she said.
VP Mujuru said free inputs were causing serious problems in Zanu-PF.
“I have since told the President that giving people free inputs is destroying the party as these were being taken as a tool to cause divisions by some              party officials, thereby tarnishing the image and name of the President,” she said.
VP Mujuru added: “President Mugabe has done all he could to improve             your lives by giving inputs and grain but this is now dividing the                         people.
“What do you want the President to do? VaMugabe havangatsige matonnes efertiliser kuuya kuzokupai.”
She urged people to be proactive and not wait for Government handouts.
Meanwhile, Mashonaland Central Governor Advocate Martin Dinha explained to VP Mujuru the challenges facing the province including rampant corruption at GMB.
He said there was corruption at GMB and inputs were distributed on Christmas and Boxing Day while beneficiaries were not aware of the programme.
Governor Dinha said the inputs were being distributed now when the farming season is at its end.
“Yesterday (Thursday last week) some people were caught taking fertiliser from Mashonaland Central to Mashonaland East. They were intercepted by some party officials in Mazowe. This was being done in conjunction with some party officials,” he said.
Governor Dinha said grain was also not being distributed properly in the province.
He said plans were underway to repossess 10 of the remaining 14 commercial farms in Centenary for re-allocation to landless people.
Addressing the same meeting, Mashonaland Central Zanu-PF provincial chairperson, Cde Dickson Mafios, said the party will vigorously vet all candidates aspiring to stand in elections.
He said those aspiring for positions have to apply and be vetted first.
Cde Mafios said this was meant to rid Zanu-PF of individuals who were not party cadres at heart.