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Zimbabwe Opposition Blasts 'Satanic' Aid Politicization


FILE: Women queue for food assistance distributed by the United Nations World Food Programme in Mwenezi, about 450 kilometers (280 miles) south of Harare, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, Sept. 9 2015.
FILE: Women queue for food assistance distributed by the United Nations World Food Programme in Mwenezi, about 450 kilometers (280 miles) south of Harare, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, Sept. 9 2015.

The opposition MDC formation led by Professor Welshman Ncube on Friday condemned the partisan distribution of food aid by Zanu PF elements, calling it "criminal" and "satanic."

The party said politicizing aid “in this drought period on the basis of which party they belong to is criminal and should be attended to with the greatest urgency.”

“Punishing opposition members through denying them food at a time when some people are now living on wild fruits and water just to keep body and soul together is disgraceful and satanic,” party spokesman Kurauwone Chihwayi said.

Local Government Minister Savior Kasukuwere, of the ruling Zanu PF appeared to confirm the alleged bias.

“We are saying the distribution of food relief or anything that comes from government should be done in a transparent way and deserving people should get what is due to them,” Kasukuwere was quoted in the Herald as saying.

“This means we have to look at the disadvantaged in the communities, child-headed families and so forth. Let’s not allow those in leadership to take advantage of those who cannot stand for themselves.”

Zimbabwe is facing a crippling drought and humanitarian aid agencies say more than 1, 5 million people will require assistance this year.

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