BENEFICIARIES of government food aid in Zhombe were allegedly forced to pay US$3 per person for transportation of rice from the Grain Marketing Board depot to various centres, an anti-corruption watchdog has said.
It has also emerged that the villagers were also being charged US$1 per bag of grain.
In a report published on January 27 this year, the Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-SA) said the poor and vulnerable, who were the intended beneficiaries of the food aid, could not afford the fees.
The report further revealed that the poor in ward 10, Zhombe, Kwekwe in the Midlands province, could not benefit from the critical government food aid programme.
“Through Alert no 24/25, we forwarded an alert from whistleblowers informing ACT-SA Leaks that contributions of US$3 for drought relief transport costs per person were not properly accounted for and there were allegations of abuse of these funds,” the report read.
“In the same alert, we provided information that transporters were charging US$1 per bag while each villager was paying US$3.
“In addition to the same, we have been informed that in ward 10 in Zhombe, there is someone nicknamed TBS, who is directly collecting these funds and threatening that all those who cannot afford or are refusing to pay will not receive the wheat.”
According to the report, TBS threatened villagers with unspecified action on January 26 this year.
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“In some cases, three people share one bag of wheat transported to them at a cost of US$1 when the three would have contributed a total of US$9. This means that US$8 remains unaccounted for,” the report said.
ACT-SA said villagers in Zhombe’s ward 10 objected to the US$3 demanded for a 50kg bag of wheat amid indications that one bag was being shared among three beneficiaries.
“There are no clear lines of responsibility resulting in the whole process being murky, lacking accountability and has been hijacked by Zanu PF members,” the report said.
“Village heads have absolutely no say in the distribution process as their responsibilities have been usurped by party cadres.”
The report further revealed that agricultural extension officers, Zhombe GMB officials and those from the Department of Social Welfare were either overpowered or became part of the scam.
“There is no clear explanation or communication as to what should be covered by the US$3 since the amount paid by all villagers far exceeds what is paid towards transportation,” it said.
It further revealed that a transporter (name withheld), who ferried 700 bags of wheat from Chegutu on January 26, confirmed charging US$1 for each bag.
ACT-SA said villagers were, therefore, demanding answers as to why they were being forced to pay US$3 per household.
Distribution points fingered as operating under opaque circumstances included St Andrew’s shopping centre and Gomola Clinic.
“Zhombe ward 11, which also uses Gomola Clinic, has previously been fingered for serious distribution anomalies including heavy pilferage,” the report read.
“In view of the above situation, there is need for the government through relevant bodies to revisit ill-thought decision in the distribution of drought relief.”
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Edgar Moyo said he had not assumed duty hence was not familiar with the issue.
“I am having a presumption of duty next week which means I am not yet familiar with the issues, if you speak to PS [permanent secretary], he will assist you with substantive issues in the ministry regarding that,” he said.
The ministry's permanent secretary Simon Masanga dismissed the claims of corruption in food distribution, adding that government gave communities the green light to contribute towards food transportation in cases where they felt the process was taking long.
“There is no corruption. In situations where government does not provide transport for various reasons, communities may agree to contribute towards the transportation of food,” he said.
“I wrote to all provinces advising that where they feel like delivery is delayed, they can contribute towards transport.”
Added Masanga: “Others volunteer to offer transport, others contribute money and there is no specific charge. It all depends with the transporter and distance.
“Others may charge US$1, others US$2, but all this depends with communities’ agreement. There is no one being forced to pay, so there is no corruption.”
Meanwhile, ACT-SA said the government should pay transport costs for the food aid and called on law enforcement agents to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action against those fingered in the abuses.
“Community-based anti-Corruption champions should monitor the situation and forward feedback through ACT-SA Leaks for further processing,” it said.
