Minister of Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare, Prisca Mupfumira has dismissed reports of partisan distribution of food saying it is government’s duty to cater for its citizens regardless of political background.
Responding to questions during a donation of 12 000 metric tons of rice by the Chinese government, Mupfumira said it is against government’s policies to distribute food based on one’s political affiliation as it is concerned about the plight of the needy.
“It is government’s policy to be distributing food based on party affiliations. My priority is give food to the needy, the disabled, the orphans, the widowed and all those that are affected by natural disasters.
“We will distribute to everyone whom we feel deserves to be given the food. As you know, food will never be enough no matter how much we distribute which is why we have a team that identifies those in the community that have great need” said Minister Mupfumira.
She stated that it is government’s duty to cater for its citizens regardless of their political background.
Minister Mupfumira’s comments come after reports of partisan food distribution resurfaced in Dzivarasekwa over the weekend where it was reported that some residents alleged to be opposition party supporters reportedly went home empty handed during a rice distribution exercise.
However, Mupfumira claimed that government only selects vulnerable members of the society rather than the ruling party’s supporters.
Meanwhile, the People’s Republic of China has donated 12 000 tons of parboiled rice which will go towards mitigating hunger and helping the needy members of the society.
In his remarks during the signing ceremony, the Third Secretary at the Chinese Embassy in Harare, Luo Xi said his government is committed to helping Zimbabwe as both countries enjoy strong ties.
“My government and the Zimbabwean government go a long way in terms of helping each other which is why we are committed to seeing that no one starves in this country. We want all those in need of food to be catered for, which is why we will continue to help whenever we can” said Xi.
Minister Mupfumira, in her acceptance speech, thanked the Chinese government for its continued support to the people of Zimbabwe and said the rice donation will be chanelled, mainly, towards flood affected families as well as those areas which were affected by the El Nino induced drought.
