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From George Maponga in Masvingo
Hunger-stricken villagers in Chiredzi District have clashed with the Masvingo political leadership over distribution of grain to be produced under the revived winter maize project in the Lowveld.

This comes amid growing fears that projected yields might not be met owing to sabotage by some elements in the district.

At least 1,000 tonnes of maize are expected to be harvested from the winter maize project in Triangle where Lowveld sugar producer, Tongaat Hulett, planted nearly 330 hectares of maize to ease acute food shortages in Masvingo.

The revival of the winter maize project in the Lowveld this year followed an appeal by former Masvingo Governor and Zanu-PF secretary for production and labour Cde Josaya Hungwe to Tongaat Hulett to grow winter maize under irrigation and mitigate effects of last farming season’s crippling drought. However, there are fears that yields from the project might not achieve the intended objectives as villagers living in areas around the winter maize fields, are reportedly stealing the maturing cobs.

The Chiredzi West community where the winter maize fields are located, is reportedly not happy that produce from the project would not be exclusive for people in the area.

They have since started descending onto the maize fields, stealing green mealies, raising fears that only a small hectarage will be left by the time the crop is ready for harvest.

While Tongaat Hulett has reportedly beefed up security around the winter maize fields, daring villagers are reportedly stealing at night.

Chiredzi West MP Cde Darlington Chiwa, on Thursday confirmed that villagers in his constituency were bitter about the planned distribution of the winter crop upon harvest.

“There is a justified feeling by people in my constituency that they will not benefit anything from the winter maize project despite the fact that it was carried out on their area. There is lack of clarity from the leadership over how the grain will be shared upon harvesting,’’ he said.

Cde Chiwa said it would be better if the leadership of the province come forward and clearly state how the maize is going to be shared. “That lack of clarity on the distribution of the maize is the reason why locals don’t have ownership of the project and are resorting to stealing green cobs,’’ he added.

Cde Chiwa said projected yields from the winter maize project might not be met unless the Masvingo political leadership quickly addressed the problem of how the maize would be shared.

“The people of Chiredzi know from experience that such projects will not benefit them at all. Produce from similar projects never benefited them and they feel they will also lose out again this time,’’ he added.

However, Cde Hungwe rubbished concerns by the villagers in Chiredzi West saying it was his prerogative to choose who should benefit from the winter maize.