In an exercise which opposition parties have tagged “Fools for Work” a ZANU PF official has told villagers in Matobo to continue working for government in the Food for Work Programme even without getting the promised food aid (reward) as they will be compensated by obtaining an exemption from paying subscriptions for their ZANU PF membership cards and other local levies raised by the party.
The Villagers in the Mbembeswane area of Matobo district who are involved in the ongoing government Food for Work programme have been promised a year’s exemption from forced ZANU PF membership subscription.
Villagers in the Mbembeswane area of Matobo claim that they were recruited by ZANU PF district officials in the province to do the food for work. As payment the villagers were to be paid with a bag of maize for work done.
However, after working for almost (15) fifteen days repairing a road in the area, the villagers have not been assured if they will be get their promised payment. Instead an unnamed ZANU PF district official has told the villagers that they will be given exemptions from paying the compulsory ZANU PF card subscriptions.
According to the villagers, ZANU PF officials responsible for the project refused to assure the villagers that they will get their bag of maize as promised.
The villagers say they approached the local councillor seeking assurance and the latter referred them to District Development Fund authorities who neither would assure them of their grain gain.
The villagers have since threatened to quit the programme unless they get assurance of payment as agreed.