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Thandeka Moyo Chronicle Reporter
A SMALL group of villagers from Ntabazinduna yesterday staged a demonstration against the United States envoy Bruce Wharton, demanding that his country removes economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.Wharton, who had visited the Elibeni area to attend a World Food Programme meeting on food distribution, was met by a determined group of placard-wielding villagers.
Some of the placards read: ‘‘Obama’s sanctions must go’’, ‘‘Sanctions destroy lives’’, ‘‘Unjust sanctions’’ and ‘‘Sanctions create poverty’’.
Wharton remained calm and continued with the programme until the group quietly disappeared from the scene.
The group leader Robert Tshuma, said it was not enough for the United States embassy to distribute food to impoverished families while Zimbabwe was still under sanctions.
“We appreciate the gesture but we need the ambassador to tell his government that Zimbabweans whom they are donating to are suffering because of sanctions imposed by America,” Tshuma said.
“Donating food will not solve any of the problems because sanctions cripple our economic growth and the US government needs to know that we’re not happy with their sanctions.”
Tshuma said he was a farmer and did not need food handouts.
“Every Zimbabwean should be able to make a living from our God-given resources, but these sanctions have destroyed our hope. It’s high time these sanctions were removed,” he told reporters.
But some villagers accused Tshuma of bringing politics to the food programme, saying he was not from the area.
“This man should go and cause havoc in his ward and stop interfering with proceedings. People should stop politicising humanitarian issues,” fumed one woman.
“This is neither the time nor place to discuss the removal of sanctions. Go to your house and leave us to receive our food aid in peace, since you have food.”
Ambassador Wharton said he was only interested in providing humanitarian aid to those in need.
“I’m only here to talk about humanitarian aid relevant to the people of Zimbabwe. As for those who protested, it’s good because they exercised their freedom of expression and we don’t oppose that in any way as it is their right,” he said.
“I believe we’re not only here to do a once-off food assistance programme but we’ll continue supporting Zimbabwe even in the future.”
Online Reporter