The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Professor Paul Mavima has been asked to issue a ministerial statement in regard to food distribution.
The food distribution exercise is targeting locals who are food insecure.
As reported by the World Food Programme (WFP) in January 2022, 42 per cent of urban dwellers in the country were food insecure.
Government refuted the claims of insecurity alluding to the fact that the country has enough grain reserves.
However, the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe later made an announcement in May about importing 400 000 metric tonnes of grain.
The white grain was imported from Zambia and Malawi.
Zimbabwe’s food insecurity is attributed to the poor harvests caused by inadequate rainfall in the previous agricultural season.
Civil society organisations and opposition political parties have in the past blamed the government for the partisan distribution of food.
However, Hon Pauline Mpariwa requested the ministerial statement after Rushinga legislator had asked about government’s progress in distributing food to rural communities as promised by the relevant minister.
“I, therefore, request that the Minister comes to the House and gives a ministerial statement on the issue of food distribution.
“So that everyone is in the know and that the areas that might be left behind may also be assisted so that there is proper accountability.
“If Hon. Nyabani’s constituency did not receive it.
“The same plight may also apply to other Members of Parliament’s constituencies,” Mpariwa said
According to Hon Nyabani, the minister had promised to distribute food in October.
“My question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
“He promised that in October people would be receiving food.
“But people are hungry and we are almost at the end of October.
“When are people in the communal lands going to be receiving this food?” Nyabani asked.
Food Distribution Began In September
In response minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi said that food distribution began last month (September).
“Last season certain areas received good rains whilst others did not.
“The Department of Social Welfare went and carried out an investigation to ascertain where there are insufficient grains in the form of maize.
“Areas were then identified so that starting last month, they could receive food hand-outs but if his area is in dire straits, maybe the department of Social Welfare officers did not go to his area.
“They will be assisted if he informs the District Development Coordinator (DDC).
Furthermore, Ziyambi maintains that the hard-hit communities would be assisted.
He added that, if hard-hit areas were omitted then the Social Welfare Department should be quickly alerted.
