Zanu (PF) supporters have accused
their MP Tapiwa Matangaidze of neglecting the constituency and turning a blind
eye to their problems since he was elected in July last year.
The chairperson for Shurugwi South
district, Never Mutandavari, 57, said supporters of party voted overwhelmingly
for Matangaidze and now feel betrayed, as he has never set foot in the
constituency.
He said there were serious problems
that needed the MP’s attention, including the Musavezi Bridge on the
Gweru-Beitbridge road that was destroyed by a storm in December last year and
claimed over eight lives.
“Nothing has been done to re-build
that bridge and we had all along expected that the MP would come so that he
helps us to map the way forward. Now that we are approaching the rainy season,
our area will become inaccessible because motorists have been using a small
low-lying footbridge. But when the rains come it gets marooned and people
cannot pass,” he said.
Patrick Nyoni, 41, an unemployed
villager, said “We are yet to meet the MP and so as we speak we do not have the
constituency development committee that should normally work with him on issues
to uplift our lives. Water is now a serious problem because the boreholes broke
down. People now have to walk for an average of six km in search of water.
Again, we have a food crisis, but there is no one to lead us in looking for
assistance.”
In ward 5, Chirega village, where an
Australian organisation set up an agricultural project, villagers accused the
local Zanu (PF) councillor, Jennifer Shumba, of failing to stop its vandalism
and looting of equipment including the security fence.
“The project used to be a success
story. But some Zanu (PF) youths started breaking down the project and as we
speak, the security fence is being stolen. If the MP was available, he would
help solve problems which are political,” said Mengesi Dube, 33, an unemployed
villager in the ward.
Contacted for comment Matangaidze
said: “I am actually driving from my constituency. I have not neglected the
people. I sponsored children of New Gato primary school to go to Harare for a
soccer tournament which they won. Ask them. I am also in the process of
ensuring that Musavezi Bridge is re-built. So far I have acquired 25 000 litres
of diesel from Unki Mine. There are 3,500 villages in my constituency so I
cannot afford to visit all of them. I have not yet set up a constituency
development committee but I am working with councillors in that regard. Other
problems like water and food crisis are being looked into.
“People should be careful and not
read much in what our chairman Mutandavari says because in fact processes are
being made to suspend him for doing some things that are not allowed in Zanu (PF).” -The Zimbabwean
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