Binga North MP Prince Dubeko Sibanda (CCC), has claimed that ZANU PF has marginalised Tonga and Shangani people and other minority tribes.
Speaking during a live debate on Wednesday, Sibanda said, since the coming of black majority rule in 1980, few Tonga people have been appointed to top government positions. Said Sibanda:
If you look at government appointments, one would find that since 1980, there has never been any person from the Zambezi Valley appointed to a ministerial post.
The only time that the Tonga people were treated well was during the government of national unity when they were regarded as equal citizens with other ethnic tribes.
ZANU PF discriminates against, it looks down upon certain ethnic tribes and it’s not only the Tonga people that are affected.
The Shangani and other minority tribes are affected.
The current Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, is one of the few top bureaucrats from the Tonga tribe.
Sibanda called for the enactment of laws that guarantee equitable distribution of resources in order to deal with the issue of discrimination against minority tribes.
He also said people in Binga find it difficult to access education for their children while health and transport infrastructure in the district was dilapidated.
Sibanda was elected Binga North MP in the 26 March by-elections with 10 130 votes while ZANU PF candidate Kudakwashe Munsaka got 7 971 votes.
The other candidates were MDC Alliance’s Peggie Mudimba (356), independent candidate Disciple Munkuli (220) and United Democratic Alliance’s Clive Muzamba (136).