Cabinet Rejects Mnangagwa's Proposal to Renew Command Agriculture Programme
The Zanu-PF cabinet is reported to have rejected a proposal from Vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa to renew the Command Agriculture Programme. Mnangagwa wanted the programme to be renewed and wanted more military personnel to be deployed to support the programme. According to weekly publication, The Independent, sources who attended the meeting said that Mnangagwa argued that the first iteration of the programme was a spectacular success as it had exceeded expectations and needed further financial and logistical support. The sources alleged that Mnangagwa’s rivals from the G40 Faction expressed reservations saying the programme was costly and had been hijacked for political purposes.
Commander Defence Forces (CDF) General Constantino Chiwenga is reported to supported Mnangagwa’s requests to have more soldiers deployed to support the programme while Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri was against the idea.
Said the sources:
In that meeting, security service chiefs were given a special dispensation to attend the cabinet meeting. After the presentation some ministers in Mnangagwa’s camp supported him, saying the programme would boost grain output and enhance food security. However, his G40 rivals expressed reservations on the proposals and programme, saying it was costly and has been hijacked for political purposes.
More: The Independent