Farmers Accuse Zimbabwe Officials Of Partiality In Presidential Inputs Scheme

News in brief: Farmers in Zimbabwe have accused the ruling ZANU-PF party of unfairly distributing agricultural inputs under the presidential program, with allegations of looting and nepotism. Concerns about transparency and fairness have been raised,

Farmers in Zimbabwe have accused officials of the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) ruling party of hijacking the presidential inputs program, looting and distributing the inputs unfairly.

The government claimed to have mobilised over 360,000 tonnes of agricultural inputs, including seed and fertiliser, under the Climate-Proofed Presidential Input Scheme, to support smallholder farmers, a local news report said.

However, the distribution of the inputs to the targeted 3.5 million beneficiaries has been marred by accusations of looting and nepotism, the report continues.

Villagers in Magunje constituency, for example, claimed that traditional leaders and and party councillors denied known opposition members access to the inputs. The media outfit added that requests for comments from the traditional leader there were ignored.

Meanwhile, Fabios Musara, a ZANU-PF district coordinating committee vice-chairperson in one district in Masvingo province admitted to taking over the distribution of presidential inputs. However, he justified his actions by saying that as a local party leader, he knew those who 'deserve' the inputs.

Musara's admission raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of the presidential inputs program. Analysts say it is a violation of government policy because the distribution should be done by neutral and impartial bodies.

The government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been urged to take immediate action to investigate Musara's claims with the aim of ensuring that the program is not used for partisan purposes.