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Nduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
THE government has secured maize from neighbouring Zambia to avert food shortages in drought affected areas, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said yesterday.

VP Mnangagwa who chairs the Cabinet Committee on food security made the revelations while addressing a historic star rally to drum up support for Zanu-PF Tsholotsho North candidate Professor Jonathan Moyo at Mbiriya Primary School in the constituency.

The rally was also addressed by VP Phelekezela Mphoko, the first time in the history of the country that the two VPs have addressed the same rally.

VP Mnangagwa said the government had already paid for the maize that would be distributed according to the needs of affected areas including Tsholotsho.

“During the briefing, Prof Moyo told us that one of the most critical problems here is hunger because of poor rainfall. I want to assure you that no one is going to starve,” said VP Mnangagwa.

He said the information on the needs of the people would be relayed through the government or party structures and then the government would distribute the maize accordingly.

The two VPs called on the people to rally behind Prof Moyo in Wednesday’s by-elections.

“We came here to Tsholotsho with VP Mphoko, it didn’t just happen but we were sent by President Mugabe to share with you the people of Tsholotsho his wish that you support Prof Moyo that we put as our candidate. Those are the words of the President,” said VP Mnangagwa. He said his own wish was for Tsholotsho North to return to Zanu-PF after many years of political orphanage.

VP Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe is a united country under the leadership of Zanu-PF uniting PF ZAPU and Zanu-PF after the signing of the Unity Accord.

“That one family has been ruling this country from 1980 to today, why then don’t the great children of this constituency want to be represented by a party that has been ruling since 1980?

“MDC came and didn’t rule, even today it’s not ruling and tomorrow it won’t be ruling,” said VP Mnangagwa. Do you want to be with those that rule or those that don’t? Your grievances go to the rulers or the ruled? I trust that all of you want your grievances to go to those that rule because that’s where decisions are made.”

VP Mnangagwa said Zanu-PF had sent Prof Moyo, a member of the highest bodies in the government and party to carry their aspirations.

“You need a representative who sits in the Politburo and Cabinet like Prof Moyo then you know your grievances will be attended to. You were disadvantaged for many years, why do you want to continue to be disadvantaged. I say no.

“We must come together, work together and we must be united as a people and march together forward. The problems we face, we face together, the good things that we have, we have together as a people and Tsholotsho North should not be found outside the rulers,” said VP Mnangagwa.

He said the only way of preserving the country’s heritage was through voting for a party with a history of liberating the country.

VP Mnangagwa said the government had selected Victoria Falls and Bulawayo as Special Economic Zones where big global companies willing to relocate will be invited to manufacture in Zimbabwe.

“When they (companies) come, we’ll gain employment, skills and technology from such companies. These big companies already have established markets, all that they want is space for relocation, produce products and sell to their markets,” he said.

VP Mnangagwa said the government was building Victoria Falls as a financial centre for the country.

He said the government had since got maps indicating where diamonds could be found in Matabeleland North and is engaging companies to exploit the mineral.

VP Mnangagwa assured the villagers that Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere would ensure that all the ten wards have boreholes to mitigate the shortage of the precious liquid.

Cde Kasukuwere who was in attendance said the Zimbabwe National Water Authority was already on the ground drilling boreholes and would make sure that all wards had water sources.

VP Mnangagwa said Cde Kasukuwere who is also party national commissar had promised him that money raised from Campfire would be channelled towards assisting the people affected by wild animals in the area.

He said Tsholotsho Rural District Council and all RDCs had been given funds by the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration to buy fuel for graders provided to repair roads.

VP Mnangagwa said Cde Kasukuwere and Prof Moyo also engaged Zinara to provide more graders for all roads to be rehabilitated. “Didn’t you see the graders? They asked for graders from Zinara for all roads to be regraded and it’s happening because the complaint went to those who rule and not those who are ruled,” he said.

“The same with water, it will come because the complaint has gone to those who are in power not those outside power,”he said

VP Mnangagwa said they had also been briefed by Prof Moyo about the shortage of clinics and the matter would be sent to the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa.

He called on Prof Moyo to engage Information Communication Technology and Courier Services Minister Supa Mandiwanzira to install boosters for wider mobile network coverage in the area.

VP Mnangagwa said he would today give Prof Moyo $5, 000 for the development of Mbiriya Primary School.

His counterpart VP Mphoko on the other hand pledged to build a classroom block at the school and sponsored a singing competition to the tune of $1,000. He donated soccer balls to be distributed to schools.

Addressing party members VP Mphoko reiterated VP Mnangagwa’s sentiments that the people should rally behind Zanu PF and Prof Moyo who will carry their aspirations.

“President Mugabe has an amazing character. When he’s campaigning, he doesn’t declare that he’s President but will come with the First Lady and ask for the people’s votes. He asks and doesn’t demand. We were sent here to ask for your votes so that you rally behind Prof Moyo,” said VP Mphoko.

He said Zanu PF will strive to resolve challenges facing the people of Tsholotsho adding that their presence at the rally was a commitment from the ruling party to develop Tsholotsho.

“Don’t be misled by people who won’t help you. They lie and promise you things they won’t deliver. Vote for a person who will assist you, here’s your child Prof Moyo,” he said.

“Those from the opposition who come here telling you to spoil votes you should ask them the benefit of such action. How does a person enjoy seeing people suffer? We want you to develop and we ask you to vote for Prof Moyo.”

Prof Moyo faces MDC proxies Busani Ncube and Gertrude Sibanda who filed their nomination papers as independent candidates. The two disappeared soon after the nomination court and have never held rallies save for the past two weeks when the MDCs sent some of their legislators to distribute mealie meal to villagers in two wards in a futile effort to woo voters at the last minute.

Cde Kasukuwere said he was happy about the Zanu PF preparations for the elections in the constituency noting that the campaign team worked very well to guarantee victory for the party.