The Zimbabwean government has called on Members of Parliament (MPs), councillors, and business leaders to assist in transporting food aid to rural areas struggling with severe poverty.
The appeal was made by the Minister of Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, during a Senate session yesterday.
Zimbabwe initially sought US$2 billion in aid from the United Nations, aid agencies, and private donors to combat food insecurity caused by an El Niรฑo-induced drought. However, as conditions worsened, the funding requirements increased.
Rural areas, where agricultural yields have been decimated, have been hardest hit. While food aid, primarily grain, is available, reports suggest some people are being excluded from distribution due to political affiliations.
During the Senate session, Senator Sithabisiwe Moyo questioned delays in food distribution.
“We heard that people will be given food, and food will be distributed to everyone throughout Zimbabwe, especially in rural areas. People are not getting food in rural areas. The question is when is food going to be made available?”
In response, Ziyambi acknowledged logistical challenges in transporting food to distribution depots.
“The government had said that food would be delivered to the wards. Madam President, the challenge is that most of our food is being cultivated in Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, and Mashonaland East. The movement and transference of food to the depots are the main challenges,” he said.
Ziyambi urged MPs, councillors, and businesspeople to actively participate in addressing the issue, emphasizing that collective action was necessary to prevent further suffering.
“We are facing a drought, and there might be challenges in transporting food to different communities. Members of Parliament, councillors, and businesspeople should intervene so that food cascades down to the communities. Then we will be able to overcome this drought season,” he added.
However, concerns about corruption were raised by Senator Ritta Ndlovu, who questioned whether this approach might lead to misuse of resources.
“My supplementary question is: will this not encourage corruption? We are already experiencing challenges with food distribution. If someone, for instance, goes to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to collect maize, how will the process be managed to prevent corruption?” she asked.
Ziyambi assured the Senate that safeguards were in place to maintain accountability in the distribution process.
“What I mentioned is a system that has always been in place. MPs will not be the ones signing off on distributions. Only designated government officers will authorise the release of grain to communities. I believe this addresses the concern,” he said.
