The ManicaPost
Takunda Maodza Manicaland Bureau Chief
GOVERNMENT, through the Department of Civil Protection, has asked the Manicaland provincial development co-ordinator’s office to prepare a detailed report explaining circumstances which resulted in food items donated to Cyclone Idai victims to rot in warehouses in Chimanimani East.
This follows a story in our sister paper The Herald on Thursday highlighting how the food donations had passed their consumption date while locked up at Charter Hall and Nyahode District Union warehouses.
The department of Civil Protection falls under the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing superintended by Cde July Moyo.
“We are waiting for a full detailed report from the district and the provincial administrator (Mr Edgar Seenza) will also give us more information,” said director Department of Civil Protection, Mr Nathan Nkomo.
Mr Nkomo said they had decentralised operations.
“We have decentralised structures up to the provincial and district level. The provincial administrator must give us the inside of the story and we are waiting for a detailed report from Manicaland,” he said.
Foodstuffs have either decayed or expired while locked up in the warehouses.
“Among the food items that have expired while in the warehouses awaiting distribution are the following — 30 tonnes of mealie meal, 1 850 kg of corn soya blend, 1 150kg of plain flour, 500 x6 packets sugar beans and 1000kg of Maheu Instant,” a source told The Herald.
The 30 tonnes of mealie meal expired on September 7, 2019.
The 1 150kg of plain flour expired on March 27, 2019 while the Maheu Instant donations passed consumption date on August 18.
Journalists visited the warehouse on Tuesday but could not gain access as it was locked.
The keys to the warehouses are reportedly kept in the Chimanimani district development co-ordinator’s office.
On Wednesday, Mr Seenza confirmed receiving reports suggesting food donations were rotting in the warehouse but referred questions the DCC Mr John Misi who was not reachable for a comment.
Chimanimani East legislator Cde Joshua Sacco also confirmed perishables had rotten while some foodstuffs had expired.
“I am very disappointed with the lack of distribution of foodstuffs in the past three months. Perishables are rotting while some foodstuffs have expired. When I asked the responsible authorities they said they do not have fuel to distribute the food. That was the response I got. I believe it is an issue of inefficiency on the part of those responsible,” said Cde Sacco.
He said a lot of people were in need of food aid in Chimanimani East after the cyclone washed away their food reserves and fields.
“Food needs to be moved out with immediate effect and I have made recommendations to that effect to the responsible offices,” added Cde Sacco.
