Chitungwiza deputy mayor and Ward 19 councillor Musa Makweza (MDC Alliance) has been accused of politicising government aid meant for vulnerable people.
Zimbabwe Old People’s Association co-ordinator Paddington Chaparadza claimed that some old people’s names were left out as potential beneficiaries because they were considered sympathetic to ZANU PF. He said:
Programmes are introduced in a good way, but the implementation is not good. President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) spoke well about this, but those driving it are now politicising it. In this country, people in positions of authority favour those who support them. Seven people are written down at a single house and the elderly are few. There is no transparency.
A Chitungwiza resident who spoke to NewsDay also lamented the fact that Makweza invited the needy people to his house for registration. Said the resident:
He has a high position in his party, there are rallies and meetings done at his house. Majority of the people are not going there because they are thinking that it’s an MDC Alliance event or rally. Those who don’t belong to his party will be afraid to come. He should have chosen a neutral venue. Otherwise, those that I saw writing names and the security do not belong to his party.
Makweza however, refuted charges of bias, saying he invited all vulnerable people to come and register without considering their political affiliation.